The Daily Dispatch: November 22, 1860., [Electronic resource]

"Don't Tread on Me," is the motto inscribed on the Virginia rifles, manufactured at the State Armory in this city, and issued to the volunteers of Dinwiddie and other counties in 1808. Immediately under the inscription, which is on the stock of the rifle, is a figure of a rattlesnake, at full length. This old rifle, which carries a large ball, and has a flint lock, is said to be identical with the new English rifle, which is so highly approved in Europe. A more formidable weapon for service we have not seen, and it would be well for the Commissioners to examine and pass upon its merits, before leaving home in search of new arms. We were also shown by Capt. Dimmock, yesterday afternoon, one of the Cavalry Swords manufactured at the Virginia Armory, in this city, fifty years ago, which is almost an exact pattern, in every respect, of the government sword now in use. Strange as it may appear, here are two weapons of war, manufactured in the Old Dominion more than half a century ago, one of which, not withstanding all the improvements in the implements of war, has lately been adopted and patented in England, (we mean the rifle,) and the other (the sword) is identical in almost every respect with the government requirements of this country.