Civilian rifle

[colorsgt26nc]

I'm trying to create an early war impression based upon my great, great grandfather, who was with the 26th North Carolina. Early in the war, NC troops, and particularly the 26th, were furnished converted muskets, many of which were taken from the Fayetteville arsenal. Many of the NC soldiers did not particularly like these weapons. From letters, it appears that my ancestor had his rifle sent from home. It is probable that he used his own rifle until his regiment was furnished with rifled muskets. Does anyone have any idea what type of rifle that might have been?

(I have already purchased an Enfield for later in the war. I'm not asking what is the best overall weapon to purchase. I'm only concerned with an impression for a very specific and limited time period.)

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

For starters, the SEARCH feature pulled up a previous discussion:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13972&highlight=civilian+weapons

Curt

[colorsgt26nc]

This previous discussion was very informative about where to get certain guns for impressions other than the one I'm interested in. Thank you, though, Curt, for your assistance.

Can anyone tell me what type of rifle might have been owned by a farmer in the Piedmont region of North Carolina in 1861? Would it most likely have been a gun of local manufacture?

I did order the book, Longarms of North Carolina, referenced by Mr. Beall in the other thread.

[Stonewall_Greyfox]

Hmmnn...well if I were guessing, I'd say small to mid-caliber flintlock rifle.

If you have your ancestors letter...would you be willing to post it or the transcription here on the site? This is a valuable piece of evidence, that could be very beneficial to many on this site.

Note: have no documentation to back this up.

Paul B.

[roundshot]

Likely one from one of many makers centered around Jamestown, NC and known as the Jamestown rifle. Makers such as Mendenhall, Jones, Gardner, Clapp, Gates, Couch and others turned out beautiful longarms in the pre-Civil war period and during the war also. If you want to see some marvelous examples visit the excellent Greensboro, NC History museum. More than a dozen of the gun shops were located within a few miles of my residence. Three were literally in my neighborhood. You will not find any modern replicas of these guns, however.

[ACo.]

Oh, you can get exacting reproductions of early 19th Century North Carolina rifles in flint or percussion conversions with no problem, but the cost will be anywhere from $1,500 - $4,500+. There are a number of modern makers doing beautiful work from plain guns (thats the $1500.00 rifle) to the high end rifles. Plus there is a 1 - 5 year wait on the custom work.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

I was just looking at a few in the North Carolina history museum in Raleigh on Sunday. (and the 26 NC's flag...)

While they tended to be "higher end" pieces with inlays and forestock wear protectors, etc., one was more "indicative" of an everyday lad or "farmer's" type hunting rifle.

I would suggest you see if you can Inter-Library loan John Bivins' classic work LONGRIFLES OF NORTH CAROLINA that references some 400 NC gunmakers 1750-1850 .

Curt

[colorsgt26nc]

If you have your ancestors letter...would you be willing to post it or the transcription here on the site? This is a valuable piece of evidence, that could be very beneficial to many on this site.

A cousin has posted transcriptions of the letters between my great-great grandparents on the internet at http://ourspecial.net/26nccf/part1p/01cover.htm.

[NC5thCav]

Hallo!

I would suggest you see if you can Inter-Library loan John Bivins' classic work LONGRILFES OF NORTH CAROLINA that references some 400 NC gunmakers 1750-1850 .

Curt

The Appalachian Collection at the App State library has this book. I looked through it a little, and I must say that it has some wonderful examples of local gunsmith's work. I would definetly recomend trying to get a copy through your library.

[Vuhginyuh]

Any idea of the economic status of his family?

Somewhere on here I have a document listing numbers of private arms in the hands of Co A 27 NC when they mustered in Goldsboro.

I think a few NC made rifles will pop up here, http://ncmuseumofhistory.org/MOH/VFPCGI.exe?IDCFile=/moh/page.idc,CURRENT=161,DATABASE=1614056,RECORDMAX=5, THUMB_NAILS=YES,

[NC5thCav]

Here you go. Not exactly cheap, but a nice rifle. They sometimes have Jamestown NC style rifles as well.

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(vw3nymbi2qjhn0jenchiuf45))/categories/partDetail.aspx?catId=12&subId=83&styleId=290&partNum=AAF-488