Repro Vriginia Pistols

[Southern Articifer]

Here are some images of my 2nd models Virginia Manufactory pistols. I built them this past month for use in the A.C.W.S.A. pistol competition as well as range use. They are .562 smooth bore and were converted from flint to percussion as many were at the onset of the Civil war. Like the originals, there's quite a lot of variation from pistol to pistol. As these were all hand made and by different articifers during their production run from 1812-1815. Also, of the many I've studied, calibers ranged from .55-.60. Of the originals, the first 300 apx were made with wooden ramrods and the rest with the swivel type. I've found the swivel rammers awkward and slow to use. Otherwise, these pistols are quite effective especially with large shot at close range. Most of these were Calvary weapons but some may have seen navy use. There is reference to their issue to couriers and signal corps. S.A.

 

[ole]

Nice opener, but there are no images attached. Would like to see them. Sounds like a fun project.

 

[Southron]

The Virginia Armory (later called the "Richmond Armory" during the Civil War) was established by the Virginia Legislature shortly after the Revolutionary War was over. The purpose was, of which, to avoid the arms shortages for state forces like those that had plagued Virginia during the Revolution.

The armory, during its period of operations, produced not only pistols but rifles, smoothbore muskets, bayonets, sabers for the cavalry and even cannon. Many of the arms were issued out to members of the Virginia Militia.

Unfortunately, many of the militia members did not take care of their issued arms and others plain stole them when they pulled up stakes and headed West to settle in what became Ohio, Indiana and other Mid-Western states.

Eventually the state shut down the armory except for a small guard stationed there to guard the muskets in storage. Of course, just before the Civil War broke out, the legislature appropriated money to renovate the buildings and equip them with machinery to make the Virginia Model Musket for state forces [It was a cross between a British Enfield and a '61 Springfield.]

Vi

 

[Southern Articifer]

 

[Southern Articifer]

I'm just getting the hang of posting images. Here's the pistols mentioned in my previous post. S.A.

 

[Southron]

Dear Southern Artificer:

Did you make your own parts or buy them in kit form?

Yours look so good, I am thinking about building a set myself.

GREAT JOB!!!

 

[Southern Articifer]

Thanks. They are rendered from the repro 1805 Harpers Ferry pistols. The original 2nd model Virginia's were nearly exact copies of that pistol. I will note there are 3 variations to the second model Virginia pistols. The first 2 adhere closest to the 1805 H.F. The 3rd shows quite a difference in the drop of the handle. Also, the strips of the butt cap on the Virginia pistols get shorter and shorter as the production run nears its end in 1815. In these pistols, I discarded the incorrect .58 cal rifled barrels and machined the proper smooth bore barrels. They are tapered and slightly swamped as I observed on the originals. The locks are percussioned using traditional methods. The hammers came from Lodgewood. I had to select from many different hammers until I found 2 that fit the tumblers. I still had to heat and adjust the hammers to get a perfect throw. The locks have been tuned to have 3 pound pulls. The furniture I saved. Also did a reshape on the stocks and stamped them with period assembly numbers. Many originals I studied had the inspector initials "RI". These do to as well.
I added some inventory numbers for extra detail. They are finished in true oil and have been patined. I did this to give them the look of some pistols that have been in use. S.A.