VERY RARE “RATTLESNAKE” PATCHBOX VIRGINIA MANUFACTORY RIFLE

VERY RARE “RATTLESNAKE” PATCHBOX VIRGINIA MANUFACTORY RIFLE

01-28023 | Cal. 50. | NSN.

61” overall, 46” octagonal barrel originally 45 caliber rifled, now smooth bore, fixed rear sight, inset brass blade front sight. The lock is marked ” VIRGINIA / MANUFACTORY” forward of the cock and “RICHMOND / 1806” vertically at tail. Brass furniture including 4-piece patchbox terminating in rattlesnake head with silver inset tongue, engraved on the patchbox is the motto “Don’t Tread on Me”, walnut stock. George Moller details these very rare 1st model rifles produced 1803-1809, only 333 produced all years, first one’s brass, later one’s iron. There are no more than 2 or 3 examples known and this is a beautiful survivor. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: copy of pages from Moller pertinent to this rare rifle.
STATUS: ANTIQUE.