Nessmuk?

[ugly old guy]

I've seen precisely one photo of Nessmuk (George Washington Sears, 1821 - 1890) in which he is "posing" with his rifle.

It is a percussion muzzleloader, and appears to be an over-under with rotating barrels, (thus not an "inexpensive" arm, even in his day.) equipped with a single trigger. (the single hammer and trigger inducate to me, that it is not a shotgun)
Caliber and maker are not identified in the photo, nor that I can find in any of his books.

I have found nothing to indicate that he ever "upgraded" (note quotes) to a Winchester/Henry lever action repeating rifle, nor to a single shot centerfire or big bore rimfire cartridge rifle.

I've not found anything suggesting he ever used a flintlock when he was a young man. (or that he learned to be proficient with bow and arrow, during his time with the indian tribe that gave him the name "Nessmuk".)

Does anyone have additional information on the gun or guns Mr. Sears used?

 

[ppg1949]

It has been awhile since I read his book but I think it was called a Billinghurst or something like that. I don't know if that was the name of the gun maker or the city it came from. I do remember it was a twist barrel and almost sure it was a 42 caliber but maybe 40 caliber. I was surprised with the caliber because of the number of deer he took with it. He was a minimalist. I'm not sure if he was the first or not. He was obsessed with the weight of his canoe. I think his last was only twelve pounds. This was when a normal canoe would be upwards of a100 pounds. I'm guessing the internet would probably have more info than I can remember. It's all in his book. I hope this helps.

 

[ppg1949]

P.S. someone with a better memory than me might be able to give you more accurate info.

 

[tenngun]

It has been awhile since I read his book but I think it was called a Billinghurst or something like that. I don't know if that was the name of the gun maker or the city it came from. I do remember it was a twist barrel and almost sure it was a 42 caliber but maybe 40 caliber. I was surprised with the caliber because of the number of deer he took with it. He was a minimalist. I'm not sure if he was the first or not. He was obsessed with the weight of his canoe. I think his last was only twelve pounds. This was when a normal canoe would be upwards of a100 pounds. I'm guessing the internet would probably have more info than I can remember. It's all in his book. I hope this helps.

I understand he was a pretty slight fellow. .40 is a legal size for deer in many states.
He was born early ‘20s as I remember so by middle teen percussion would have been the norm. And he was obsessed about moving lite. Five hundred caps weigh less then the flints you’re would need for say four hundred and fifty shots worth of flint.
I would say that my ‘real’ average is about thirty shots to a flint. I’ve had more and I’ve had less. A document posted on the forum noted one flint issue for sixteen shots.
Sears wasn’t a traditionalist but he gravitated to the simple. But I wonder that weight didn’t effect his gun choice.

 

[Col. Batguano]

I can not imagine a canoe weighing only 12 pounds. Even with today's space age carbon fiber / kevlar construction techniques a single-man pack canoe is going to weigh in the mid 20's.

 

[ppg1949]

I can not imagine a canoe weighing only 12 pounds. Even with today's space age carbon fiber / kevlar construction techniques a single-man pack canoe is going to weigh in the mid 20's.

Col.B, No doubt in that era it was radical. I think he even mentions one with a weight of 9 3/4 pounds. I know he made his canoe builder famous after the publication of his magazine articles and his book. I believe the canoe was of Nessmuk's own design. And it took some time to get his canoe builder to accept his ideas. I don't remember the length but I do remember him standing in it to fly fish, so it must have been stable. I know with a canoe that fragile one would need to be very careful entering and exiting it.

 

[ugly old guy]

I understand he was a pretty slight fellow. .40 is a legal size for deer in many states.
He was born early ‘20s as I remember so by middle teen percussion would have been the norm. And he was obsessed about moving lite. Five hundred caps weigh less then the flints you’re would need for say four hundred and fifty shots worth of flint.
I would say that my ‘real’ average is about thirty shots to a flint. I’ve had more and I’ve had less. A document posted on the forum noted one flint issue for sixteen shots.
Sears wasn’t a traditionalist but he gravitated to the simple. But I wonder that weight didn’t effect his gun choice.

You are correct. He was born in 1821, and died "of natural causes" in 1890, according to Wikipedia. He was also around 5 foot 5 tall, and between 120 - 130 pounds, from what I understand.

I would not be surprised to learn that during Mr. Sear's hayday, PA and NY (where he hung out most) didn't have a minimum caliber requirement for hunting deer and other big game with a front stuffer.

That said, I'd be surprised if he had under .45 or .50 caliber. Reason? In a word:
"Bear".
Even a small 'not likely to attack "humans" or "people"' (note quotes) black bear can ruin one's day right quick if the circumstances are "wrong" and the black bear decides one might make a tastey meal, is startled, one is stupid and comes between mummy and cubs, or feels threatened and trapped.

Perhaps the advantage of a quick second shot (if/when requitered) over-ruled his quest for light weight in the choice of his rifle?

 

[tenngun]

I don’t know when caliber requirements started going in to effect. And while .40 is legal I never felt a desire to hunt deer with one.
And for sure even a ‘small’two hundred pound black bear can ruin your day,
His life time in compasses a time in his area when small bore became very popular.
Born in ‘21, saw adulthood at ‘38-‘41, when Pennsylvania was making .54 and up to sell west. At that same time we see the development of the ‘Ohio’ and ‘Michigan’ style, many made between .32 and .50, with smaller being very popular.
Leman, made some of his Indian Trade Rifles that went west in .36 caliber.
I THINK Ned Roberts told a story of hunting bear in Maine with his Uncle. He having a 44-40 Winchester while his uncle had a ‘Pickett ’ double ml rifle in .45,His Winchester was less effective. While his uncle rarely needed a second shot.
By cr 1860 Sears double may well of been a conical shooter.
That’s just speculation on my part, but I know a lot of smaller caliber rifles were popular in his area and time frame.

 

[ppg1949]

tenngun good point that he may have shot conicals. I’ll find his book over the next couple days to clarify the caliber. I’ve got books stacked up all over the place but I’ll find it.

 

[ppg1949]

Here is more info on Nessmuk canoes he used later in his journeys.

 

[tenngun]

Just got his book again on kindle, read it so many years ago, so fun to reread now. I had learned much from him since all the way through I kept thinking yup that’s right and so true,
I had forgot about his baker tent.... you know , when bakers weren’t invented yet.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

…,when bakers weren’t invented yet.

Bakers are well documented by the second quarter of the 19th century. When an event cut off date is 1790...THEN you get the problem. And it's not a shape problem....it's a sewing problem. I've seen folks construct "Baker" type tents with two long pieces of canvas...but the they are at most, tied together, not sewn.

LD

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I've seen precisely one photo of Nessmuk (George Washington Sears, 1821 - 1890) in which he is "posing" with his rifle.

It is a percussion muzzleloader, and appears to be an over-under with rotating barrels, (thus not an "inexpensive" arm, even in his day.) equipped with a single trigger. (the single hammer and trigger inducate to me, that it is not a shotgun)
Caliber and maker are not identified in the photo, nor that I can find in any of his books....
Does anyone have additional information on the gun or guns Mr. Sears used?

“My rifle was a neat, hair-triggered Billinghurst, carrying sixty round balls to the pound [116 grains probably .410 - .420], a muzzleloader of course, and a nail-driver. I made just three shots in ten days, and each shot stood for a plump young deer, in the “short blue”. Woodcraft by G.W. Sears

Mr. Billinghurst was well known for his revolving rifles, but he made swivel rifles and very heavy barrel target rifles. He was out of Rochester NY in the 1830’s, and so on.

LD

 

[ppg1949]

“My rifle was a neat, hair-triggered Billinghurst, carrying sixty round balls to the pound [116 grains probably .410 - .420], a muzzleloader of course, and a nail-driver. I made just three shots in ten days, and each shot stood for a plump young deer, in the “short blue”. Woodcraft by G.W. Sears

Mr. Billinghurst was well known for his revolving rifles, but he made swivel rifles and very heavy barrel target rifles. He was out of Rochester NY in the 1830’s, and so on.

LD

LD, thanks for this info. It has saved me hours of searching for his book. Thanks again.

 

[ppg1949]

Here is a picture of Nessmuk with swivel barrel rifle.

 

[ppg1949]

Sear’s eyesight must have been phenomenal. At one practice, he drove a nail 5 times in a row at hundred yards. He said he shot off hand but usually used sticks or anything handy to use as a rest.

 

[Loren Rytter]

That is not a swivel breech rifle. The upper barrel uses a side hammer back action lock. The lower barrel is fired by an underhammer on a nipple directly on the barrel. I have a reprint of his book, and believe the full picture shows one barrel is a rifle and the other is a shotgun. Not clear from this clip. Always wondered if he used this gun for an extended period in his life.

 

[tenngun]

Bakers are well documented by the second quarter of the 19th century. When an event cut off date is 1790...THEN you get the problem. And it's not a shape problem....it's a sewing problem. I've seen folks construct "Baker" type tents with two long pieces of canvas...but the they are at most, tied together, not sewn.

LD

I never saw the appeal of them. I don’t know when Sears used his. I’m thinking his woodsman book was toward the end of his life. He showed a small one man baker and showed the pattern for making it. Sides, roof, kick, and awning/door all one piece.
I recalled him doing a chapter on camps( he hated wedges) and in the middle of the text a drawing of his little baker sans visible poles.
I wouldn’t run out and get one based on this as documentation. Then if you go to an eighteenth century event it’s going to be on the out lawed list so not a good idea to get one.
Tilting at wind mills hurts you more then the windmill.
We know what tents no one will argue about.

 

[ppg1949]

That is not a swivel breech rifle. The upper barrel uses a side hammer back action lock. The lower barrel is fired by an underhammer on a nipple directly on the barrel. I have a reprint of his book, and believe the full picture shows one barrel is a rifle and the other is a shotgun. Not clear from this clip. Always wondered if he used this gun for an extended period in his life.

LR, thanks for your input. I always thought it was a swivel breech. I wonder where it is now? Thanks again

 

[Loyalist Dave]

That is not a swivel breech rifle. The upper barrel uses a side hammer back action lock. The lower barrel is fired by an underhammer on a nipple directly on the barrel. I have a reprint of his book, and believe the full picture shows one barrel is a rifle and the other is a shotgun.

That makes sense as Billinghurst was especially well known for his revolving rifle with the cylinder revolving around a shotgun barrel. A similar concept to the LeMatt revolver.



LD