Original Left Handed flintlock guns?

[French Colonial]

I asked this in the "Kibler side effect" thread but that thread has went way off the rails so I will ask here.

Are there any surviving examples of left-handed 18th century flintlock rifles or trade guns and/or documentation of them? Something I should know but do not recall from the books I have read.

What say you LRB, Rich Pierce, Mike Brooks and others?

 

[rich pierce]

I’ve seen so few original left handed guns that they are like unicorns. I’ve never heard of or seen a left handed trade gun or a left handed musket. I think back then folks just adapted to what was “right” (pun intended but offense not intended). I can’t recall seeing a left handed “Kentucky rifle” or colonial fowler or musket either. One cannot rule out the possibility in higher end, more expensive guns, but I’ve not seen any that I can recall.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I know of at least one found left handed Fusil Fin.

In the book, "Colonial Frontier Guns" by T. M. Hamilton, he documents a Left Hand Fusil Fin in Figure 33, Page 60 and 61. The left hand fusil fin was found in a grave on the Louisiana State Penal Farm at Angola. He documents the other articles were found with many other burial objects.

The parts were quite decomposed but the bore may have been 0.625". The lock was unbridled. The side plate was brass along with the rampipes.

Hamilton is of the opinion that "this is the only left-handed 18th Century gun to be recovered archaeologically."

 

[Cruzatte]

I'm aware of one left handed trade gun in Kevin Gladysz's book The French Trade Gun in North America, p. 93. That's one out of how many in the same book? Not very common, I'd agree.

 

[flconch53]

Well I know the military didn't issue lefthanded guns or allow lefthandedshooting in ranks. Double barrel guns had a left handed lock on them so I don't think it was unheard of

 

[sportster73hp]

When lefties complained Kibler wasn’t making a left hand model “yet”. I also questioned the historical correctness. But then not all are concerned about correct.

 

[Beerd2]

When lefties complained Kibler wasn’t making a left hand model “yet”. I also questioned the historical correctness. But then not all are concerned about correct.

just look at the movies, lots of left hand flintlocks in Hollywood
..

 

[Robin101]

The fact is that left handed flintlock guns were made in the era.
I have several original to me left hand rifles and fowlers and need no justification for them.
Robin

 

[Kansas Kid]

Doesn’t the fur trade museum in Nebraska have some. Think I remember seeing them.

 

[Brokennock]

The fact is that left handed flintlock guns were made in the era.
I have several original to me left hand rifles and fowlers and need no justification for them.
Robin

Let's see 'em

 

[oldwood]

Have never seen a l/hand original flintlock rifle.

 

[Rob M.]

They were certainly rare birds but yes , there were left handed flintlock in the 18 th century ...

 

[Rob M.]

...

 

[Beerd2]

the comment about side by side shotguns in Post #5 makes sense to me.
..

 

[Coinneach]

Well I know the military didn't issue lefthanded guns or allow lefthandedshooting in ranks. Double barrel guns had a left handed lock on them so I don't think it was unheard of

In the latter half of the 18th century the Brit Army Light Infantry units, and later Rifle regiments (60th and 95th) were allowed quite a bit of leeway when it came to operational contingencies; if a Soldier was proficient and accurate as a left hander then he was allowed to be so other than formal parade drill occasions (hardly ever during the Napoleonic campaigns. Wellington himself was known to be lenient on his Troops (other than disciplinary problems) so long as they held their ground and fought it out.

 

[LongWalker]

I know of at least one found left handed Fusil Fin.

In a literature search in 2010, the Angola gun Hamilton showed was only 1 of 2 archaeologically-recovered 18th century guns found; the other was a handgun.

Having all the features of a contemporary fusil (but in left hand), I've often thought that the Angola gun was probably purpose-made for a particular individual. From written accounts we know of other guns provided for specific individuals, and this one is just odd enough it might be one. I keep hoping information will turn up that might help identify the recipient.

As for other left-handed long guns, I know of one left-handed 18th century jaeger.

 

[WalnutRed]

There was no thought about making a left handed musket because you were not actually aiming them in the first place. I doubt if in the 18th century most European soldiers even knew if they were left or right handed dominant. For that matter I don't know of any modern army that issues left handed long arms.

 

[Eterry]

There was no thought about making a left handed musket because you were not actually aiming them in the first place. I doubt if in the 18th century most European soldiers even knew if they were left or right handed dominant. For that matter I don't know of any modern army that issues left handed long arms.

But the US did modify the M-16 with a brass deflector. Being a lefty I can promise you firing the old model without the bump made your neck look like you'd been attacked by a cheerleader squad, but without the fun.

 

[Feltwad]

Enclosed is a left hand lock for a sporting gun which began has a flintlock and is percussion conversion by Patrick of Liverpool
Feltwad

 

[Cayman like]

But the US did modify the M-16 with a brass deflector. Being a lefty I can promise you firing the old model without the bump made your neck look like you'd been attacked by a cheerleader squad, but without the fun.

When I was in Basic training in 1970 they taped a piece of cardboard on my m-16 as a deflector but when I got to the 82nd Airborne I never bothered with one. Every once in a while a hot shell would bounce off my face
Shot R.handed muzzleloaders left handed for years before I got a lefty.