Names of old guns
Will appreciate if someone will explain the differences between, 1. musket,2.musketoon,3.rifled musket,4. smoothbore,5.rifle musket6.artillery musket, and cadet musket. I would expect each of these were designed with a specific purpose in mind. Your comments will be appreciated. Thanks - jclane40@yahoo.com
Dr. J. Curtis Lane
Dr. J. Curtis Lane
0
-
I cannot attempt to tell the difference between all, but I would expect that they are all loaded at the muzzel with different names that would reflect the time period and the location of the battle.
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."0 -
Get hold of a copy of "Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms". It's the standard reference for collectors of U.S. Firearms. Since it now in it's 8th Edition, there easy to come by used, or most libaries will have a copy in their reference section.
There are extensive sections on U.S. Military Long Arms, that will answer your questions.
0 -
Thanks but I could not find the answer to my question in my Flayderman's Book
Dr. J. Curtis Lane0 -
Well, Websters defines musket as: A heavy, large caliber, muzzle loading, usually smoothbore, infantry shoulder firearm.
A musketoon is a shorter, lighter musket (think carbine).
A rifled musket is self explanatory.
A smoothbore is a smooth bore firearm, usually used to refer to a smoothbore musket.
A rifle musket is the same as a rifled musket.
An artillery musket is a small portable smoothbore artillery piece.
A cadet musket is a smaller, lighter version of an infantry musket.
Hope that helps.0 -
By the way, Winchester referred to their long barreled military versions of the 1873 lever action with long, banded forearm and bayonet lug, as the Model 1873 Military Rifle Musket. So I guess it doesn't necessarily have to be muzzle loading. 0 -
Thanks Forthhorseman for your very understandable answers.
Dr. J. Curtis Lane0 -
For anyone interested in a professional reference on the early US versions of these and similar items, I would strongly recommend Small Arms and Ammunition in the United States Service by Berkley Lewis. Col. Lewis served at, and was the Commanding Officer of, Frankford Arsenal for much of his career. He also wrote several books on various topics and contributed to The American Rifleman regularly. This particular book was published by the Smithsonian Institute in 1956 and reprinted in 1960. It is extraordinarily detailed and referenced. Copies appear from time to time, typically in the $75 range.
"There is nothing lower than the human race - except the french." (Mark Twain)0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
7 comments