From the collection of:
Frazier Historical Arms Museum || VAM Home

The term long rifle refers to a type of rifle that was used in early America by the military and civilians alike. As its name suggests, it is characterized by an unusually long barrel. The term flintlock refers to the type of gunlock on the rifle, which made use of flint fixed in the hammer to produce a spark to ignite the charge. Little is known of the gun’s original owner, Dr. Joe A. Davis, other than that he might have been a North Carolina surgeon-dentist.

About the Artist

This rifle was made by silversmith, gun maker, and furniture maker Wiley Grover Higgins and bears his signature along with the initials “M.A.”—presumably for “master armorer.” It is one of only five guns attributed to Higgins.

An accomplished craftsman, Higgins was also a prosperous farmer and slave owner, as well as a colonel in the local militia. Three of his sons followed him into his trade of gunsmithing.

Classroom Ideas

Discussion: Do you think there is a significance or purpose for decorating a weapon so ornately? Why might the gunsmith choose to do so? Why might the owner want such an attractive gun? Why would a silversmith and furniture maker also be likely to be a gun maker?

Activity: Research the roles of artisans in early America. Create posters showing some of the items that were handmade. Which are still handmade today?

Links

Read about the history of the American long rifle at AmericanLongRifle.com.
[www.americanlongrifles.com/american-longrifle-kentucky-rifle-story.htm]

Read about silversmiths and other Colonial craftsmen at the Tradesmen in Colonial America web site created by 4th graders at Pontico Hills School in Sleepy Hollow, New York.
[www2.lhric.org/pocantico/tradesmen/tradesmen.htm]

The Frazier Historical Arms Museum web site includes lots of links to online arms and armor resources.
[www.frazierarmsmuseum.org/links.html]