Any Virginia style rifles with shorter barrels?

[C. Cash]

Were any made short back in the day.....say with a 36" barrel?  Pondering a first build.  Considering a Jaeger for my boy as well, but do love the looks of VA style rifles as well. My apologies for the layman's question and hope this is the right forum.

[Dennis Glazener]

I own an original VA flint with a 47 cal tapered barrel that is 41 inches long. This is the shortest original barrel on a VA flinter that i have seen. Probably shorter ones out there but I have not seen them.
Dennis

[C. Cash]

Thank you Dennis!  Very much appreciated.

[mr. no gold]

I have a scaled down, walnut stocked, smooth rifle that has a barrel which is 38 inches in length. It has an intgalio marked lock by M. Sheets, and has been converted to percussion from flintlock. It has a cheek rest and a nice VA side plate, but there is no patchbox. The barrel is octagonal to round with two transitions, and a greatly flared muzzle. It is, in my opinion a Spanish barrel that appears to be much older than the rest of the gun.
Dick

[BGC]

I'm sure back in the day that rifles were made for boys or "ladies".  If you are pondering your first build, whether you are making it or letting someone else make it; I'm sure it can be scaled back with the barrel length and still get the overall look of a VA rifle.
A couple things to consider:
1. 42 inch swamped barrels are a pretty good balance of a long gun and also might decrease the weight a little.
2. Don't know the age or size of your son, but remember..boys grow!   Make too small of a rifle and your son will outgrow it soon enough.  Have it made longer means he can enjoy it for a longer period before he moves up to a man's rifle.

If you are having it made, talk to the gunsmith and see what he suggests.

[C. Cash]

Considering a Jaeger too.....but was wondering about the VA.  I Like the idea of keeping close to the originals.  I have only ever assembled a CVA kit many years ago.  I have a 1" GM 36" barrel and thought that style might work for it.  Just pondering and thank you all for your insight.

[Dennis Glazener]

Considering a Jaeger too.....but was wondering about the VA.  I Like the idea of keeping close to the originals.  I have only ever assembled a CVA kit many years ago.  I have a 1" GM 36" barrel and thought that style might work for it.  Just pondering and thank you all for your insight.

I would offer a couple of suggestions, GM barrels are pretty popular and not being made at the present time. Consider selling it and buy a 38" or 42" swamped barrel and using that for the new build. Second would be to consider tapering that 1" GM to something lighter. Bobby Hoyt will do it for a reasonable fee.

I just don't think you would be happy with a straight 1" barrel even if its only 36", unless its a very large caliber it will be heavy probably would not balance very well.
Dennis

[C. Cash]

Thanks Dennis.  It's a 54 and pretty heavy.  Might do just that. .....go longer/thin.