I have a half-stock rifle I bought at the Greensboro Gun Show about four years ago. The top flat of the .38 caliber rifle is stamped, “Wm & C. Fisher, Lynchburg VA". My research indicates that William & Cyrus Fisher had a mercantile store in Lynchburg, and a gunsmith operation. Further research says that they converted most of the flintlock muskets in the Virginia Armories to percussion. I am trying to ascertain if they built rifles themselves or had other makers build guns for their store.
Mine has German silver furniture, and virtually, every piece, including the buttplate and triggerguard are superbly engraved. and a beautiful lock. The removal of my lock displays some adherence to English gunmakers. The mortise is smooth as if it were milled out with a fine bit. All the channels are smoothed out. The lock looks quite new for 160+ years. A bar-lock action, coupled with a single lever set trigger. All in all, a well-preserved rifle. A family history page on the internet shows a near twin to my percussion .38 caliber, flame walnut stocked rifle. The family home was in Pembroke VA.
I’ll take some photographs next month and put them in a new post.
