Post by spence on Jun 23, 2022 17:43:30 GMT -7
A continuing question in the hobby is how early did rifles come to widespread use. I don't know that we'll ever find that answer, but here are a few interesting "data points" to inform the conversation. [much too long]
The South-Carolina GAZETTE
November 19, 1763
CHARLES-TOWN
Now selling off, by NICHOLSON & BAMPFIELD, much cheaper than such goods can be bought any where also in Charles-Town, for cash: A large assortment of GOODS imported by captains Smith, from London, and Brownett, from Bristol.
N.B. This sale will continue only till the first of January next, as their partnership terminates that day. …. tying up paper, gun-powder, Indian trading guns, neat fowling-pieces, rifle-barrel guns, pocket and holster pistols, scymetars, fencing foils, mourning and neat silver hilted swords, officers sashes, pocket and large steelyards,
*******************
The South-Carolina GAZETTE
October 22, 1763
WALTER MANSELL
CHARLES-TOWN
A great variety of neat fowling pieces, and rifle-barrel guns
**********************
Inventory of the estate of Ralph Wormeley, 1702, included twenty-one guns, one of them a “Rifle Gun.” Middlesex County Will Book A (1698-1713) p. 128 [Va.]
**************
A rifle barrel discarded before 1640, dug at Matthew’s Manor [Denbigh], earliest evidence of a rifle in Virginia, maybe in North America.
*************
Estate of Robert Spring, died 1683, included “1 Screw Gun.” York County, Deeds, Orders & Wills No. 6 (1677-84) pp. 502-3
***********************
To George Washington from James Mackay, 27 August 1754
I Shall take care that you Shall have your Rifle, but the man that has it hops that youl be So good as to gett him Some other Rifle for it, as you Was pleasd to accquaint every person that whatever they Carried Should be their own and every person have payd for what ever they Returnd.
************************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
May 27, 1756
PHILADELPHIA
The following being a more particular Account of Mr. Thomas Cresap’s Engagement with the Indians near Fort Cumberland….
The Indian, with a fine French Gun, mortally wounded Cresap with a Bullet and seven Swan shot in the Breast. Cresap, with a Rifle , mortally wounded the Indian through the Right breast, being the only Part to be seen of him.
*********************
The South-Carolina GAZETTE
July 12, 1760
CHARLES-TOWN
That the Number of Indians killed may be about 50; and that, having many Rifles among them, they did Execution at a greater Distance than our People could.
***************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
September 22, 1763
To be SOLD by ROBERT LETTIS HOOPER, jun. At his Store in Water street, three Doors above Chestnut street, Wholesale and Retail, THE best Bourdeaux Claret, bottled and packed in Hogsheads, that contain about eight Dozen each good old Brandy in Anchors, superfine Rifle Powder by the Quarter Cask or Pound,
********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
July 3, 1766
WAS LOST, on the 8th or 9th of May last, on the great Road betwixt Harris’ Ferry and Shippensburgh, a German rifle Gun, about two Feet in the Barrel, large Bore, carved Stock, a white Metal Lion upon the Barrel, near the Lock, with a Scepter in his Paw, double Tricker, double Sight, the under Brass or Copper, and the upper Iron.
*******************
The SOUTH-CAROLINA Gazette
November 4, 1756
JOHN DODD, Gun-Maker in Meeting-Street
CHARLES-TOWN
HAS to sell a parcel of very neat rifle-barrel guns, from 3 to 4 feet in length; and continues to do all sorts of gun-work in the best manner.
***************
February 25, 1764
CHARLES-TOWN
At the same place are to be sold, the best, handsomest and cheapest rifle barrel guns ever imported into this province.
********************
The South-Carolina GAZETTE
March 10, 1764
JOHN DODD , Gunsmith,
CHARLES-TOWN
BEST Dutch rifles, with moulds and wipers, flat locks, from 20 sh. to £5 round ditto, brass mountings for ditto,
********************
The South-Carolina GAZETTE
March 23, 1765
TO BE SOLD, By FELIX LONG, CHARLES-TOWN
....EXCEEDING good Holland gin in any quantity, German rifles of the very best sort,
*********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
February 5, 1756
PHILADELPHIA, February 5.
Last Friday a Party of Capt. John Van Etten's Men fell in with a Party of Indians in Upper Smithfield, and killed and scalped two of them, and have good Reason to believe they wounded four or five more mortally. They got a Booty of two Guns, one of which a Rifle , the other a smooth bored French Gun; a fine Pipe Hatchet, and three Match coats.
*********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
September 1, 1763
From Fort Bedford we have Advice, that a scouting Party of Colonel Stevens Voluntiers on the Virginia Frontier, towards Winchester, lately fell in with a Party of Indians on Potowmack, about 25 Miles from Fort Cumberland, and routed them, killing and scalping One, wounding several, and recovering two Prisoners, and three Scalps, taken four Days before; they took from the Enemy four Rifles , and many Horses as were reckoned worth One Hundred Pounds..
*********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
October 6, 1763
WILLIAMSBURGH, September 16.
Major Wilson, however, routed the party, took 3 Indian scalps, wounded many more, and took 11 rifles and 2 smooth barrel guns from them, with all their war equipage, and retook a number of horses.
**********************
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE
August 8, 1751
DAVID and William Geddy Smith at Williamsburg, near the Church, having all Manner of Utensils requisite, carry on the Gun-smith's, Cutler's, and Founder's Trade, at whose Shop may be had the following Work, viz. Gun Work, such as Guns and Pistols Stocks, plain, or neatly varnished, Locks and Mountings, Barrels blued, bored, and rifled; Founder's Work, and Harness Buckles,
***********************
The South-Carolina GAZETTE
June 2, 1759
BREMAR & NEYLE HAVE lately imported the following Articles, from LONDON & BRISTOL, Which they will sell at TEN for ONE, allowing the usual T M CREDIT, Or at NINE for ONE READY MONEY.
CHARLES-TOWN
A compleat assortment of fowling pieces, rifle-barrel and trading guns , silver and brass mounted pistols, gun worms and hammers, flints, swords, sword blades, cutteaus and hangers.
***********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
April 24, 1755
RUN away on the 30th of March last, from the subscribers, living near Augusta Court house, two servant men; one named Francis Adams, about 5 feet 10 inches high, brown curled hair, and by trade a shoemaker: Had on when he went away, a black jacket, and buckskin breeches. took with him a rifle gun , and a black dog
****************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
March 5, 1761
FRANCIS and RELFE, In Front street, the Corner of Chestnut street, HAVE renewed their large assortment of dry goods of every kind,…. China ware by the chest, rifle gun barrels, the best sort of gunpowder, brass and iron ware,.
********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
July 8, 1762
….formerly, that they are now come to Hand, with the Addition of six Inches, which makes them seven Feet and a Half; also a large Parcel of Turkey Oil Stones, and a neat Assortment of birding and fowling Pieces, and a valuable Rifle Gun ; and all Sorts of Planes made as formerly,
********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
September 15, 1763
There went off in his Company a Man, who goes by the Name of Absalom Hines or Haynes, who is short and well set, says he has been a Ranger, and among the Indians for some Time past; has a Rifle Gun with him, and says his Mother lives somewhere on the Eastern Shore in this Province.
********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
November 15, 1764
.... had on, when he deserted, a blue Broadcloth Coat, an embossed Flannel under Jacket, black Velvet Breeches, and has taken sundry other Clothes, and a Rifle Gun .
****************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
February 9, 1769
IMPORTED in the last vessels from London, Bristol and Liverpool....
.... patterned sleeve buttons; rifle, fowling piece, and common gun barrels; brass mounting furniture for ditto; common, flat and half round fence gun locks;
****************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
July 18, 1751
Run away, on th 12th inst. from William Oakford, at the head of Alloway Creek, Salem county, a servant man,… The said servants took with them a bay horse, has got the pole evil, and paces well; a rifle barrel gun , and a large yellow dog, with a white ring round his neck.
********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
January 2, 1753
Philadelphia, January 2, 1753.
Stolen out of a pasture belonging to the subscriber, ….. he is of a middle stature, dark complexion, black hair, is a bold fellow, a notorious thief, and carries a rifle barrel gun with hm.
******************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
June 5, 1766
May 30, 1766. RUN away from his Bail, about the 24th of May instant, a Native Irishman, named John Green, about 41 Years of Age, about 5 Feet 7 or 8 Inches high, of a fresh Complexion, wears a Silk Cap, is a very great Snuff Taker; had with him a new Silver Watch, also a Rifle gun, rode a likely grey Horse,
******************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
October 8, 1767
BY virtue of a writ of Venditioni Exponas, to me directed, will be sold,…. a good cart, plows and harrow, and other implements of husbandry, a fusee and rifle gun, a parcel of pewter, a good whip,
*****************
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE
December 22, 1768
AUGUSTA, Nov . 16, 1768.
RUN away from the subscriber in Augusta ,…. he is supposed to have taken with him a short rifle gun ,
*******************
Letter from William Tryon to William Petty, Marquis of Lansdowne
July 8, 1767
Each man had his rifle gun, and their general uniform and appointments were a carters frock, indian match clouts (in lieu of breeches) moccasons (for shoes) and woolen or leather leggins, the latter were necessary to prevent the bite of the snakes of which we saw a great plenty.
*****************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
June 7, 1764
Horsham Township, June 1, 1764.
WHEREAS George Yeordon, and Peter Patrick, were by Virtue of a Search Warrant, brought before me, one of the Justices, &c. and in their Custody were found two Firelocks, the one a Rifle , the other a round Bore;
***************
The South-Carolina GAZETTE
June 14, 1760
The Indians were alarmed and escaped over the hills. We got many bear and buffalo skins; and the soldiers got horses, saddles, guns, rifle and Indian guns, and many other things which the enemy had taken from the poor inhabitants.
**************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
April 29, 1756
PHILADELPHIA, April 29.
Extract of a Letter from an Officer in Winchester, in Virginia, dated April 13, 1756.
"Colonel Washington is endeavouring to collect some of the Militia together; with whom, and what Soldiers are here, he intends to scour the Woods, and find them out, if possible. If he does, I hope it will deter them from coming again too soon, as we shall have several good Woodsmen with us, who are so dextrous with their Rifles , that they will generally makes sure of their Mark."
****************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
September 6, 1764
Imported from Liverpool, and to be sold for prime Cost, at ROBERT TOWERS, ... cutting knives, traces, rat traps, rifle, double barrel and smooth bore guns, pistols, flints, bullet and shot molds, with a variety of other things.
*************
Fort Wayne Daily Sentinel
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Friday, November 27, 1874
An Old Indian Killer.
INTERESTING EVENTS IN THE HISTORY
OF AN ANCIENT RIFLE.
[From the Louisville Courier-Journal.]
Mr. Andrew Whitley, of St. Louis, en route to Lexington, visited the Courier-Journal office yesterday with a rare relic of the earliest days of Kentucky. It was a rifle, made by Jacob Young, of Virginia, in 1741, and owned by Mr. Whitley's grandfather, Wm. Whitley, who was one of the first white men that came to Kentucky, and was a companion of Daniel Boone.
********************
Warren Johnson’s Journal, 1760-61
They are remarkable at Philadelphia for making rifled Barrell Gunns, which throw a Ball above 300 yards, vastly well, & much better than any other Barrells.
*********
Spence
The South-Carolina GAZETTE
November 19, 1763
CHARLES-TOWN
Now selling off, by NICHOLSON & BAMPFIELD, much cheaper than such goods can be bought any where also in Charles-Town, for cash: A large assortment of GOODS imported by captains Smith, from London, and Brownett, from Bristol.
N.B. This sale will continue only till the first of January next, as their partnership terminates that day. …. tying up paper, gun-powder, Indian trading guns, neat fowling-pieces, rifle-barrel guns, pocket and holster pistols, scymetars, fencing foils, mourning and neat silver hilted swords, officers sashes, pocket and large steelyards,
*******************
The South-Carolina GAZETTE
October 22, 1763
WALTER MANSELL
CHARLES-TOWN
A great variety of neat fowling pieces, and rifle-barrel guns
**********************
Inventory of the estate of Ralph Wormeley, 1702, included twenty-one guns, one of them a “Rifle Gun.” Middlesex County Will Book A (1698-1713) p. 128 [Va.]
**************
A rifle barrel discarded before 1640, dug at Matthew’s Manor [Denbigh], earliest evidence of a rifle in Virginia, maybe in North America.
*************
Estate of Robert Spring, died 1683, included “1 Screw Gun.” York County, Deeds, Orders & Wills No. 6 (1677-84) pp. 502-3
***********************
To George Washington from James Mackay, 27 August 1754
I Shall take care that you Shall have your Rifle, but the man that has it hops that youl be So good as to gett him Some other Rifle for it, as you Was pleasd to accquaint every person that whatever they Carried Should be their own and every person have payd for what ever they Returnd.
************************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
May 27, 1756
PHILADELPHIA
The following being a more particular Account of Mr. Thomas Cresap’s Engagement with the Indians near Fort Cumberland….
The Indian, with a fine French Gun, mortally wounded Cresap with a Bullet and seven Swan shot in the Breast. Cresap, with a Rifle , mortally wounded the Indian through the Right breast, being the only Part to be seen of him.
*********************
The South-Carolina GAZETTE
July 12, 1760
CHARLES-TOWN
That the Number of Indians killed may be about 50; and that, having many Rifles among them, they did Execution at a greater Distance than our People could.
***************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
September 22, 1763
To be SOLD by ROBERT LETTIS HOOPER, jun. At his Store in Water street, three Doors above Chestnut street, Wholesale and Retail, THE best Bourdeaux Claret, bottled and packed in Hogsheads, that contain about eight Dozen each good old Brandy in Anchors, superfine Rifle Powder by the Quarter Cask or Pound,
********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
July 3, 1766
WAS LOST, on the 8th or 9th of May last, on the great Road betwixt Harris’ Ferry and Shippensburgh, a German rifle Gun, about two Feet in the Barrel, large Bore, carved Stock, a white Metal Lion upon the Barrel, near the Lock, with a Scepter in his Paw, double Tricker, double Sight, the under Brass or Copper, and the upper Iron.
*******************
The SOUTH-CAROLINA Gazette
November 4, 1756
JOHN DODD, Gun-Maker in Meeting-Street
CHARLES-TOWN
HAS to sell a parcel of very neat rifle-barrel guns, from 3 to 4 feet in length; and continues to do all sorts of gun-work in the best manner.
***************
February 25, 1764
CHARLES-TOWN
At the same place are to be sold, the best, handsomest and cheapest rifle barrel guns ever imported into this province.
********************
The South-Carolina GAZETTE
March 10, 1764
JOHN DODD , Gunsmith,
CHARLES-TOWN
BEST Dutch rifles, with moulds and wipers, flat locks, from 20 sh. to £5 round ditto, brass mountings for ditto,
********************
The South-Carolina GAZETTE
March 23, 1765
TO BE SOLD, By FELIX LONG, CHARLES-TOWN
....EXCEEDING good Holland gin in any quantity, German rifles of the very best sort,
*********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
February 5, 1756
PHILADELPHIA, February 5.
Last Friday a Party of Capt. John Van Etten's Men fell in with a Party of Indians in Upper Smithfield, and killed and scalped two of them, and have good Reason to believe they wounded four or five more mortally. They got a Booty of two Guns, one of which a Rifle , the other a smooth bored French Gun; a fine Pipe Hatchet, and three Match coats.
*********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
September 1, 1763
From Fort Bedford we have Advice, that a scouting Party of Colonel Stevens Voluntiers on the Virginia Frontier, towards Winchester, lately fell in with a Party of Indians on Potowmack, about 25 Miles from Fort Cumberland, and routed them, killing and scalping One, wounding several, and recovering two Prisoners, and three Scalps, taken four Days before; they took from the Enemy four Rifles , and many Horses as were reckoned worth One Hundred Pounds..
*********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
October 6, 1763
WILLIAMSBURGH, September 16.
Major Wilson, however, routed the party, took 3 Indian scalps, wounded many more, and took 11 rifles and 2 smooth barrel guns from them, with all their war equipage, and retook a number of horses.
**********************
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE
August 8, 1751
DAVID and William Geddy Smith at Williamsburg, near the Church, having all Manner of Utensils requisite, carry on the Gun-smith's, Cutler's, and Founder's Trade, at whose Shop may be had the following Work, viz. Gun Work, such as Guns and Pistols Stocks, plain, or neatly varnished, Locks and Mountings, Barrels blued, bored, and rifled; Founder's Work, and Harness Buckles,
***********************
The South-Carolina GAZETTE
June 2, 1759
BREMAR & NEYLE HAVE lately imported the following Articles, from LONDON & BRISTOL, Which they will sell at TEN for ONE, allowing the usual T M CREDIT, Or at NINE for ONE READY MONEY.
CHARLES-TOWN
A compleat assortment of fowling pieces, rifle-barrel and trading guns , silver and brass mounted pistols, gun worms and hammers, flints, swords, sword blades, cutteaus and hangers.
***********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
April 24, 1755
RUN away on the 30th of March last, from the subscribers, living near Augusta Court house, two servant men; one named Francis Adams, about 5 feet 10 inches high, brown curled hair, and by trade a shoemaker: Had on when he went away, a black jacket, and buckskin breeches. took with him a rifle gun , and a black dog
****************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
March 5, 1761
FRANCIS and RELFE, In Front street, the Corner of Chestnut street, HAVE renewed their large assortment of dry goods of every kind,…. China ware by the chest, rifle gun barrels, the best sort of gunpowder, brass and iron ware,.
********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
July 8, 1762
….formerly, that they are now come to Hand, with the Addition of six Inches, which makes them seven Feet and a Half; also a large Parcel of Turkey Oil Stones, and a neat Assortment of birding and fowling Pieces, and a valuable Rifle Gun ; and all Sorts of Planes made as formerly,
********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
September 15, 1763
There went off in his Company a Man, who goes by the Name of Absalom Hines or Haynes, who is short and well set, says he has been a Ranger, and among the Indians for some Time past; has a Rifle Gun with him, and says his Mother lives somewhere on the Eastern Shore in this Province.
********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
November 15, 1764
.... had on, when he deserted, a blue Broadcloth Coat, an embossed Flannel under Jacket, black Velvet Breeches, and has taken sundry other Clothes, and a Rifle Gun .
****************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
February 9, 1769
IMPORTED in the last vessels from London, Bristol and Liverpool....
.... patterned sleeve buttons; rifle, fowling piece, and common gun barrels; brass mounting furniture for ditto; common, flat and half round fence gun locks;
****************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
July 18, 1751
Run away, on th 12th inst. from William Oakford, at the head of Alloway Creek, Salem county, a servant man,… The said servants took with them a bay horse, has got the pole evil, and paces well; a rifle barrel gun , and a large yellow dog, with a white ring round his neck.
********************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
January 2, 1753
Philadelphia, January 2, 1753.
Stolen out of a pasture belonging to the subscriber, ….. he is of a middle stature, dark complexion, black hair, is a bold fellow, a notorious thief, and carries a rifle barrel gun with hm.
******************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
June 5, 1766
May 30, 1766. RUN away from his Bail, about the 24th of May instant, a Native Irishman, named John Green, about 41 Years of Age, about 5 Feet 7 or 8 Inches high, of a fresh Complexion, wears a Silk Cap, is a very great Snuff Taker; had with him a new Silver Watch, also a Rifle gun, rode a likely grey Horse,
******************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
October 8, 1767
BY virtue of a writ of Venditioni Exponas, to me directed, will be sold,…. a good cart, plows and harrow, and other implements of husbandry, a fusee and rifle gun, a parcel of pewter, a good whip,
*****************
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE
December 22, 1768
AUGUSTA, Nov . 16, 1768.
RUN away from the subscriber in Augusta ,…. he is supposed to have taken with him a short rifle gun ,
*******************
Letter from William Tryon to William Petty, Marquis of Lansdowne
July 8, 1767
Each man had his rifle gun, and their general uniform and appointments were a carters frock, indian match clouts (in lieu of breeches) moccasons (for shoes) and woolen or leather leggins, the latter were necessary to prevent the bite of the snakes of which we saw a great plenty.
*****************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
June 7, 1764
Horsham Township, June 1, 1764.
WHEREAS George Yeordon, and Peter Patrick, were by Virtue of a Search Warrant, brought before me, one of the Justices, &c. and in their Custody were found two Firelocks, the one a Rifle , the other a round Bore;
***************
The South-Carolina GAZETTE
June 14, 1760
The Indians were alarmed and escaped over the hills. We got many bear and buffalo skins; and the soldiers got horses, saddles, guns, rifle and Indian guns, and many other things which the enemy had taken from the poor inhabitants.
**************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
April 29, 1756
PHILADELPHIA, April 29.
Extract of a Letter from an Officer in Winchester, in Virginia, dated April 13, 1756.
"Colonel Washington is endeavouring to collect some of the Militia together; with whom, and what Soldiers are here, he intends to scour the Woods, and find them out, if possible. If he does, I hope it will deter them from coming again too soon, as we shall have several good Woodsmen with us, who are so dextrous with their Rifles , that they will generally makes sure of their Mark."
****************
The Pennsylvania Gazette
September 6, 1764
Imported from Liverpool, and to be sold for prime Cost, at ROBERT TOWERS, ... cutting knives, traces, rat traps, rifle, double barrel and smooth bore guns, pistols, flints, bullet and shot molds, with a variety of other things.
*************
Fort Wayne Daily Sentinel
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Friday, November 27, 1874
An Old Indian Killer.
INTERESTING EVENTS IN THE HISTORY
OF AN ANCIENT RIFLE.
[From the Louisville Courier-Journal.]
Mr. Andrew Whitley, of St. Louis, en route to Lexington, visited the Courier-Journal office yesterday with a rare relic of the earliest days of Kentucky. It was a rifle, made by Jacob Young, of Virginia, in 1741, and owned by Mr. Whitley's grandfather, Wm. Whitley, who was one of the first white men that came to Kentucky, and was a companion of Daniel Boone.
********************
Warren Johnson’s Journal, 1760-61
They are remarkable at Philadelphia for making rifled Barrell Gunns, which throw a Ball above 300 yards, vastly well, & much better than any other Barrells.
*********
Spence
