jdkerstetter said:
Again, I am not arguing that smooth-rifles were not made or that they would even be desirable to some, but the fact remains, we don't know.......
You are making an assumption that these guns were not originally rifled and at some point during their usable life the owner didn't choose to have them reamed out....
I am satisfied that they do exist...how they got that way and why is the stuff of fantasy for now. J.D.
JD - how about some period documentation for purpose built "smooth rifles" and not rifles which have been reamed out and no fantasy involved.....
18th Century
September 13, 1739
The Pennsylvania Gazette
RUN away on the 6th Inst. from Thomas Rees, of Heydelburg Township, Lancaster County, a Servant Lad, named Richard Beddes, aged about 17 Years, has light bushy Hair: Had on an old striped linsey Jacket, old linnen Shirt, new Linnen Breeches and an old Hat, no Shoes nor Stockings. Took with him a
smooth Rifle Gun. Whoever brings the said Servant to his said Master, or secures him in the County Goal, so that he may be had again, shall have Three Pounds Reward and reasonable Charges, paid by Thomas Rees.
January 26, 1769
The Pennsylvania Gazette
RUN away from his bail, on the 9th of this inst. January, JOHN DAVIS, this country born, about 21 years of age, about 5 feet 5 inches high, of a sandy complexion, freckled, had a pretty large scar on the instep of one of his feet, occasioned by the cut of an ax, and he is pretty talkative; had on, when he went away, a blue broadcloth coat, with mohair buttons, a red plush waistcoat, leather breeches, and a fine hat; he also had other clothes, of a light ash colour, lined with striped linsey, the coat had no lining in the sleeves; these he had packed up in a pair of check trowsers; he may dispose of one suit; he took with him a
smooth rifle gun , and as he has served his time, he may possibly produce his indenture. Whoever secures the said runaway in any goal, shall have FIVE POUNDS reward, paid by the subscriber in Forks township, Northampton county. GEORGE TIDFORD.
May 3, 1775
The Pennsylvania Gazette
TWENTY ONE POUNDS Reward.
RUN away, last night, from the subscriber, living near Bush river, Harford county, Maryland, 7 English servant men, viz. John Brown, about 35 years of age, about 5 feet 8 inches high, has black hair, large temples, narrow chin and thick lips, used to the sea, and a great swearer. N.B. Has been in the country before. Abraham Peters, about 28 years of age, about 5 feet 9 inches high, has black hair and beard, of a swarthy complexion, his left hand somewhat perished and lame; says he is a Jew, and talks very good Dutch. John Cooley, about 22 years of age, by trade a Plaisterer, about 5 feet 8 inches high, round face and well set; had on a blue fearnought jacket, and a double breasted under jacket, white yarn stockings, and old shoes. William Childs, about 21 years of age, about 5 feet 6 inches high, a Carver and Gilder by trade, and but meanly dressed, which was a blue fearnought jacket, and old shoes, with hob nails. Thomas Able, about 25 years of age, about 5 feet 5 inches high, has a remarkable red face, very rotten teeth, is a great talker and very much pitted with the smallpox; he has been in South Carolina before. William Blancklett, about 27 years of age, about 5 feet 4 inches high, thin visage, sharp nose, black hair and beard. Thomas Sharp, about 15 years of age, about 5 feet 3 inches high, fair complexion; he had on a green coat, blue cuffs; stole and took with him two pair of trowsers, one striped holland and the other ozenbrigs, one white shirt and one check ditto, new felt hat: As Able and Blancklettbreeches were much worn, it is imagined they wear said trowsers. They had and took away with them a
country square barrelled, smooth bore GUN, rifle stocked , one pistol, and other firearms; it is supposed they stole a BOAT from Otter Point. Whoever takes up the said servants, shall have, if taken 10 miles from home, Ten Pounds; if out of the county, Fourteen Pounds; and if out of the province, the above reward, or in proportion for each, including what the law allows, paid by BUCKLER BOND, WILLIAM SMITHSON. *** It is like they will make for some vessel, therefore all masters of vessels, and others, are hereby forewarned from taking said servants, at their peril. March 26, 1775.
19th Century
In June 1839, one of the American Fur Company's employees bought from "Jacob and Sam. Hawkins" a "smooth bord rifle $22".
Ramsay Crooks of the American Fur Company in a letter dated August 22, 1840. addressed to James Henry, reveals that the Boulton Gun Works (one of the largest American manufactureres of various type trade firearms during the 1830-50's) was one of the factories that supplied "smooth bore rifles" to the trade. He also makes clear that the western Indians provided no market for such make-believe rifles: "We said in ours of July 29 that the smooth bored rifles would not suit us. The more we reflect upon it the more we are satisfied they will not answer at all for our Indian trade. When the Indians use a rifle it must be a real one, and they will not carry a smooth bore of such weight so long as they can get a North West Gun."
and there are many more such period references to "smooth rifles"
While the smooth rifles may never have attained the popularity of "real" rifles or lighter weight smooth bore following pieces/ trade guns, they were in fact a separate item offered by makers and not just reamed out rifles.
Thus while modern firearms collectors/students may continue to argue over whether a certain piece started life being rifled or smooth, the fact stands based on our historical knowledge base, that dedicated smooth rifles were being made that were never rifled at any time in their life and primary documentation does exist for them outside the guns themselves. IMO in part the idea that all or at least most smooth rifles began life as a real rifle is based on the "cult of the American Backwoods Rifleman" and the idea of why would anyone prefer a gun that is neither fish nor fowl so to speak when they could have had a real rifle...
