Blanket guns, are they worth it?

[Farren55]

Found a gun in the same size that I would get, the Middlesex Village Paget carbine, full length stock, .65 Caliber. It's a neat little reenactor gun
http://middlesexvillagetrading.com/cart/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_67&product_id=154

and just for fun the gun being shot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YAiO0VIWok

 

[Zonie]

Although this post by me stirred up a whole swarm of naysayers, it might be interesting to those who want a short barreled, historically correct fusil.
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/289274/post/1405127/fromsearch/1/

Although a 27 and 33 inch barrel is hardly what someone might call a 'canoe gun" a 21 inch barrel is getting close. :grin:

 

[Farren55]

Short barreled muskets have a long help place, they may be less accurate but they were recognized early on for cavalry, and for naval warfare (having a 16-21" barrel in between decks sounds good to me).

 

[robert1]

Looks like great fun to me! If I want something and can afford it, I always find a way to justify it.

 

[Farren55]

I'm young, I don't have debt, now all I need is a Job.

 

[nhmoose]

Buy a smoothbore pistol same whatever and will not bring the ire of the PC/HC crowed?

 

[Farren55]

I'm Canadian a pistol is a restricted weapon whereas long guns are considered Antiques (guns need a license antiques do not).

 

[Grandpa Ron]

Zonie

Very interesting post from the Carl Russell book. I have heard of guns as short a 32” but they were the exception. The use of trade guns with 21 inch barrels that had been traded by the HBC is certainly news to me.

I do have a copy of James Gooding’s book “Trade Guns of the Hudson’s Bay Company 1670 ”“ 1970” published in 2003. I will peruse it see if it mentions the ordering of short barreled guns. A lot more detail is known about trade guns now than in 1957.

I have no doubt that there were short barreled trade guns, I just have never seen them shown as factory issued or distributed by HBC.

But that is why we have these internet forums. :wink:

 

[Farren55]

Many times people would shorten guns if the barrel was damaged, but some found that a shorter gun was more useful for cavalry, and artillery (20-30" barrels in the extreme case) though these were usually scaled down all around (smaller caliber, size, ect.)

 

[coloradoclyde]

Define "worth it"

Worth making if your building a gun and totally screw up the forward section of the barrel and the butt stock and this is your way of salvaging your time.....then yes maybe.

 

[tenngun]

Really, is it some how more useless then a horse pistol or a derringer? If you get one for what it is its ok, dont expect it to be anything it aint. You can have a story that you cut down a busted up gun and use it as a belly gun. If you think its cute (I think they are) buy one, they are fun to shoot, marginly hc and easy on the eyes. Most of the cost of gun parts are the lock and barrel, so the price aint too high. Even North star west offers them,...for a little higher price but no more usefull.

 

[coloradoclyde]

That's why I asked him to define "worth it"

Heck, I would take one if somebody gave it to me.....probably make a holster for it. :rotf:

I would rather have a canoe gun though.....seems more useful.

 

[Farren55]

for useful it would be a light handy weapon that can be carried with lots of equipment (Ex. for artillery the cannon, powder, cannon shot) that is still reasonably accurate when attacked.

In the 1809 the British sent out the Paget carbine to their light cavalry troops, while originally it had an awful reception by the end of its service life many of the cavalrymen didn't want to part with it. (due to it's size it was basically a long pistol with a full butt-stock)

 

[Grandpa Ron]

Horse pistols and Derringers are purpose built guns. They were built to fill a special need. A classic example is the Howdah pistol use to kill wounded tigers that were attacking the hunter on elephant back.

If the person’s persona needs and uses the shortened gun in the photo, he or she should have one. My point is for what I do, a gun that takes a bit out of $500.00 needs to be more than a comversation piece.

I am of course ignoring the fun factor.

 

[larryp]

"Worth it"? If you like the looks and have fun shooting it then the answer is yes. Doesn't matter what others think about it's historical accuracy or practicality.

 

[coloradoclyde]

What can it do that a pistol or carbine can't do better?
In trying to fill the middle ground between them it comes up short on both ends.

 

[Farren55]

They filled a niche role. Usable for tertiary rolls, while not suited for front line combat.

 

[coloradoclyde]

They filled a niche role. Usable for tertiary rolls

Not trying to argue....but can you explain...like what roles exactly?

 

[tenngun]

What can it do that a pistol or carbine can't do better?
In trying to fill the middle ground between them it comes up short on both ends.

Not a thing...but this is a forum for folks playing with centuries old technology. We don't grab the best tech for the job, we grab the funnest

 

[coloradoclyde]

Exactly, but my point is from a historical perspective an not that of the modern day enthusiast.
Did they even really exist?
Were they just a "one off" ?

As a novelty and play thing with a cool factor I say great! have at it and make smoke.

But as a historical piece.????????
They seem far too much of a novelty to wager one's life, livelihood or existence on.