18th century rifle scabbard?

[Jerry Samouce]

New guy here.
Was there such a thing as a mid to late 18th century rifle scabbard for a 58" long Virginia rifle?
Did Daniel Morgan's Overmountain men use rifle scabbards?
If so...what did it look like? (pictures?)
If not, what did they use to keep their powder dry and to protect their rifles from the elements?

I'm asking because I want to protect my 58cal Mark Silver rifle while taking it to and from the range?

 

[andy52]

I'm in the process of making a couple right now out of a red Whitney point blanket.
I'll be putting leather on the muzzle end to reinforce it and a small cuff of leather on the entrance end for the same reason. I haven't decided if I'm going to put fringe on them yet or not. When I have made these in the past I normally leave about 6 inches of the butt exposed.

 

[Jerry Samouce]

I have some pretty good leather working skills. (see my attached examples)
but I need period rifle scabbard examples before I start planning my project and ordering whatever sort of leather they used?

Some photos would be great!

 

[Artificer]

Hi Jerry,

New guy here.
Was there such a thing as a mid to late 18th century rifle scabbard for a 58" long Virginia rifle?

One can never say never because someone might have done it, but it would have been extremely rare.

Did Daniel Morgan's Overmountain men use rifle scabbards?

No documentation at all for it.

If not, what did they use to keep their powder dry and to protect their rifles from the elements?

They used what was called a "cow's knee," which was a leather or painted linen lock cover.

Cows Knee – Cabin Creek Muzzleloading

How to make a Cow's Knee Lock Cover for your Flintlock Muzzle Loader — The NMLRA

I'm asking because I want to protect my 58cal Mark Silver rifle while taking it to and from the range?

Some guys make a full length case out of linen, but unless it is oiled or painted, it won't protect your rifle much. They didn't start making leather rifle cases until the 19th century.

Gus

 

[Artificer]

BTW, a case made from a blanket will protect your rifle in transit, but DON'T allow it to get wet and shove the rifle into it. Makes for a very fast way to rust the lock and barrel.

Gus

 

[Flintlock]

Not documented But I made a few simple wool blanket case ( no fringe ) to keep my rifles in at night during rondy. I also made a simple rectangle oilcloth case I can slip over the blanket gun while canoeing to protect from moisture as well as nicks and dings. I don't remember where I found it but seems I've run across pre rev war mention of oilcloth gun sleeves. I will post again if I can find it.

 

[Jerry Samouce]

Thanks!
I really appreciate yall's help here... After this kind of woodwork I did, I really need to protect my rifle...

And yes, If there is zero examples out there, I will, because I must make something to do the job.
Even if it is a "time traveling witch's" a buckskin scabbard, if I have too.
But I really would like to keep things as period accurate first, if it is at all possible.

I willing to do an oilcloth gun sleeve or a blanket one instead, but regardless of the outer layer, I was thinking of lining it with a blanket cloth.
is that wise?

 

[Jerry Samouce]

The cows knee is a super simple project. I may just do that too for fun.
Did they cover the barrel end with something like a leather sock with a drawstring as well???

In the Army on patrol we used a condom tied with a string...

 

[Flintlock]

The cows knee is a super simple project. I may just do that too for fun.
Did they cover the barrel end with something like a leather sock with a drawstring as well???

I keep thinking of the greased leather sock, I've read about plugging them with tampion or stick but the waxed or greased sock would be much safer than accidently firing it with a stick in the barrel.

 

[Flintlock]

Think I found something that may help. ( Of sorts for provincials - gun sacks or gun cases) hope it helps.

 

[Jerry Samouce]

what did you find? was there a link to be added here?

 

[Jerry Samouce]

Think I found something that may help. ( Of sorts for provincials - gun sacks or gun cases) hope it helps.

what did you find? was there a link to be added here?

 

[andy52]

Thanks!
I really appreciate yall's help here... After this kind of woodwork I did, I really need to protect my rifle...

And yes, If there is zero examples out there, I will, because I must make something to do the job.
Even if it is a "time traveling witch's" a buckskin scabbard, if I have too.
But I really would like to keep things as period accurate first, if it is at all possible.

I willing to do an oilcloth gun sleeve or a blanket one instead, but regardless of the outer layer, I was thinking of lining it with a blanket cloth.
is that wise?

Jerry with the kind of carving you do a scabbard should be Childs play for you. Of all the scabbards I've made from blankets, leather and oil skin I've never had a pattern, the rifle is the pattern.

 

[Artificer]

The cows knee is a super simple project. I may just do that too for fun.
Did they cover the barrel end with something like a leather sock with a drawstring as well???

In the Army on patrol we used a condom tied with a string...

Wood Tompions were used in the muzzles of muskets and MAY have been used on rifles, though they would not have been issued for rifles and thus whittled by Riflemen themselves.

But a muzzle cover of some sort? No documentation I know of.

Gus

 

[Flintlock]

what did you find? was there a link to be added here?

Don't know how to share a link here but if you do a web search for ( Of sorts for provincials gun sacks or gun cases ) opens to a blog with information and research on this.

 

[Flintlock]

BTW, a case made from a blanket will protect your rifle in transit, but DON'T allow it to get wet and shove the rifle into it. Makes for a very fast way to rust the lock and barrel.

Gus

Paste wax the gun before leaving anywhere.

 

[Jerry Samouce]

Wood Tompions were used in the muzzles of muskets and MAY have been used on rifles, though they would not have been issued for rifles and thus whittled by Riflemen themselves.

But a muzzle cover of some sort? No documentation I know of.

Gus

I just looked up what a tompion is... what a weird solution.
But I suppose more of a challenge for the doctor to pull out wood and lead too.

 

[Artificer]

I just looked up what a tompion is... what a weird solution.
But I suppose more of a challenge for the doctor to pull out wood and lead too.

Yeah, but unlike the condoms we shot through, the tompion was supposed to be taken out of the bore before they shot. It mainly was used to keep rain/snow out of the barrel BUT don't let the tompion get wet as it will also rust the heck out of the muzzle if you slap it in wet and leave it.

Gus

 

[Jerry Samouce]

http://ofsortsforprovincials.blogspot.com/2011/03/gun-sacks-and-gun-cases.html
ooooo interesting! Thanks flintlock~

 

[toot]

Welcome.