The “Davidson” 

John Davidson was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia in 1757. From pension records, we know he was a veteran of the American Revolutionary and there are documents that lead us to believe that he worked in Rockbridge County from about 1790, until his death in 1832. In 1808 he applied for a Virginia contract to manufacture militia arms.

This splendid relief-carved rifle is signed “JD” on the patch box lid and in beautiful script is signed “John Davidson” on the top flat of the barrel. With the excessive amount of drop in its stock design and the initials on the box, it has been speculated by some students that it was his personal rifle. It is a superlative example of the James River school of gunsmithing. It appears this rather elongated uniquely arrow shaped patch box is a signature design of this maker.

The Rifles

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