OM Dixon, Jamestown, NC How long is a long rifle?

[copdoc]

Thought you guys interested in measurements would like to see this.  I have seen a few "boys" rifles but this one is for a MAN.  Will get close ups and measurements later.  I am going to borrow it for a while.  This thing puts my 458 bolt gun to shame. 

PS He is looking over it not in the bore.  I have found several examined by gunsmiths, collectors and even museums that were loaded.

[mbriggs]

That is an extremely long example.  Jamestown rifle makers did take in special orders.  I found a letter where a man in Louisiana ordered a Longrifle from Jay Lamb with a 52 inch barrel to use in Match shoots.

If this rifle is signed by Obed M. Dixon it is the only full stock Longrifle that I have seen by him or heard of. He was born in 1828. In the 1850 Guilford Census he was living with and working for gun smith William Lamb.  In the 1860 census he was living beside Anderson Lamb on Mackay Road in Jamestown.

Over the years I have owned four of his Longrifles and still have the best one along with a Jamestown Bullet Mold with his name stamped on it.

Here are some photos of my Longrifle by him.

   







Here is a photo of the Jamestown bullet mold signed by him.



Thanks,

Michael

[copdoc]

Very nice rifle Michael.  I was looking at a collection of several Jamestown rifles and snapped a few quick pics.  I'll look again and make sure it is a Dixon.  It was the largest of the lot.

 I love the bullet mold.  Longrifles are not my particular field but I have not seen a bullet mold from a North Carolina gunsmith.  Was this common and did any of them make tools etc.  I am familiar with the Vogler family that made silver and furniture. 

This forum sparked my interest along with your books and Bill's book.  I found another local person with a Jamestown longrifle and hope to see it this weekend.  If the moons are in position maybe it will get a new home and will post some pictures.   

[mbriggs]

Every Jamestown Longrifle came with a bullet mold and a ball puller that they called a wiper.  Most Jamestown Longrifles will have a roman numeral or arabic numer stamped on the barrel.  The matching bullet mold that came with the rifle will have the same roman numeral or arabic number stamped on the top flat.  I have five Jamestown Longrifles that still have their original bullet mold with them.

Here is an example.



Each of these are Jamestown Longrifle Bullet Molds.



Thanks,

Michael

[copdoc]

Thanks Michael
It is nice when you can keep them together.  How many of these were signed by the smith?  Have you ever seen any Moravian molds or tools signed by the smiths?

[mbriggs]

My O.M. Dixon bullet mold is the only one I have ever seen that was signed by the gun smith.

Michael

[copdoc]

Thanks Michael
I had not ever seen a signed one and wondered if I just was not looking.

[gibster]

Here is a picture of a 3-ball Jamestown mold that is marked XII.  I haven't seen many Jamestown molds, but this is the only one that I have seen that is for more than one ball.  Were they very common?  I haven't miked it, but it looks to be about .30 caliber and wasn't used very much.

[mbriggs]

Your's would be the only one that I have heard of, but so much more is still out there that we have not seen.

Michael