An Original Revolutionary Musket and Horn

[Mulebrain]

A rare glimpse of an untouched revolutionary war musket. The flint is the same one installed by the soldier! In the same family for generations. Yeh, I wish it was mine!

 

[musketman]

I bet it's still loaded...

 

[Liver eatin’ Johnson]

I bet it's still loaded...

My thoughts exactly!

It is rare that you see an artifact like that which has never been altered or "cleaned up" by someone. Its like a moment frozen in time... :thanks:

 

[laffingman67]

WOW what a find. You almost hate to even disturb the cobwebs on it. :applause:

 

[Mulebrain]

The "Brown Bess" musket of the loyalist Lewis Fisher from his service with the New Jersey Volunteers in the Revolutionary War, 1776-1783.

Some more info!

 

[Gary]

Where's the family at, especially during the Mother of American Family Feuds (1861-65)?

I was reading that not only did the Yankees take all the guns and destroy them, but they took shot pouches, hunting bags and horns too. :cry: While I understand the military necessity, darn if we didn't lose a lot of our cultural heritage. :curse:

 

[Mulebrain]

This gun, and horn are still in the same family as the original owner.

Many things were different back in the day

 

[WRussell]

That's a treasure all right. Too bad the frizzen spring is broken.

 

[Gary]

Suggest they have the oldest member of the family sign (and have notarized) the statement about the gun & horn. Might was well start a paper trail. May be worthwhile doing a genealogical search too at the National Archives. Treat the gun with Rennaisance Wax (developed by the British Museum) to protect it. It may be applied to wood, metal & leather. BTW, where has the family been? Did they move to FL after the war or are they still in Jersey. The reason why I ask is that the Union troops frequently siezed firearms and destroyed them. If there's a story as to why this gun survived, have it documented too.

 

[Mulebrain]

Here is a link to the page, where I found this information.

http://www.familyheritage.ca/heirlooms1.html

 

[mikee51848]

Neat pictures, too bad they don't have more of the musket.

 

[Mulebrain]

here is another from their site

 

[flintlockmdj]

Is this the original horn that goes with this musket? If so is the flask head original to the horn or was it added later. Not meaning to nit pick but I am trying to learn more about flasks.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Yeah, the flask tip and the Third Model Land Pattern hammer (c. 1797 & later) kind of take it past the Revolution, at least as "unaltered" condition. Barrel looks to be bobbed some, but that may be "period" as it still accomidates the bayonet. The lock is kind of flat. My guess is the musket is a third model and is post-revolution . . . ours, at least.

 

[Mulebrain]

Is this the original horn that goes with this musket? If so is the flask head original to the horn or was it added later. Not meaning to nit pick but I am trying to learn more about flasks.

This is the same equipment the soldier carried, unless the family is lying, or they need a history education? I think it may be the latter choice!~

 

[Okwaho]

I suspect you are right. The guard without a branch and the cock with a straight comb indicate the India pattern which was issued to the regiments in 1793-94. The unreinforced cock indicates a pre 1809 date.I would like to see the other side as well as the guard and other furniture.I did some checking and there was a unit of New Jersey Volunteers {1776-1783} also known as Skinner's Greens because of the green facings on their regimentals.There is another problem; units such as these didn't receive the latest issuance of arms.The family apparently came from New Brunswick in Nova Scotia and there were India pattern muskets present in Canada, See "The Military Arms of Canada" by The Upper Canada Historical Arms Society , Historical Arms Series No.1. I tend to doubt this gun being used in the American Revolution and the war of 1812 seems more likely.If Lewis Fisher did fight in the Revolution with a New Jersey loyalist unit and I don't doubt he did since many New England Loyalists fled to Canada after the war,I think he fought with a different weapon.As to the horn, I don't know. The carved inscription on the plug doesn't seem to gibe with any information I have seen here with the gun and horn and I would like to know what the "51" means.I look foward to any other info and/or comments
Tom Patton :imo:

 

[Mulebrain]

I have emailed Rob Fisher, and requested his participation in the study of the musket and powder horn. I hope he will join in, so we all can learn!

Cheers :thumbsup:

 

[tmdreb]

This is the same equipment the soldier carried, unless the family is lying, or they need a history education? I think it may be the latter choice!~

This happens fairly often, as in a family swearing up and down that the 1851 Colt Navy pistol they have was carried by their ancestor in the Mexican American War.

 

Great gun and horn, I just bought an original trade gun in the same untouched condition, super history lesson.
:front:


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