Product Description
VIRGINIA Antique LONG RIFLE JAMES SIMS .52 Revolutionary War Militia 1783
With Brass Patchbox & German Silver Moravian Star
Here we present an antique Long Rifle Attributed to James Sims of Virginia & West Virginia, made circa the late-18th Century. This would have been made in the flintlock system but was long ago updated to percussion. This piece features an octagonal barrel in .52 caliber with a full-length stock. The lock is by J&C Gascoigne. There is a large brass patchbox on the right side and a German Moravian star on the left. There is a later inscription stamped on the barrel in front of the lock that reads “J SIMS NEUBURGH (likely an old spelling of Newburg) 1783”.
James Sims (1754-1845) was a gunmaker and blacksmith born in Culpepper County, Virginia, though he would move around several times throughout what is now Virginia and West Virginia (which were separated into two states during the American Civil War). During the American Revolutionary War he was called up into the militia in 1777, serving a term of 3 months as Orderly Sergeant under Captain John Tutt in the area of Fredericksburg. He was called to served another 3 month term in 1780, this time at York Town. After the war he collected a pension from his military service. At one time or another he is known to have lived and worked in Culpepper County, Nicholas County, Bath County, Kanawha County, possibly others.
The overall condition is good. Old conversion from flintlock. The action is strong. The bore is smooth and patinated. The walnut stock shows use. There is a minor stable split along the grain on the left side near the butt plate, and on the right side between the lock and brass band has been repaired. The section forward of the band is a replacement. There is a German silver star on the cheek rest and German silver thumb plate at the top of the wrist, along with 16 hash marks on the top left of the wrist. A neat piece from a gunmaker who was also a soldier during the War for Independence!
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.
Barrel is 32 inches.
Caliber: .52 Flintlock to Percussion Conversion
Overall condition as seen in photos.
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$2600
#240260