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Friends,
I'm an ALAMO SHRINE docent & am seeking a flintlock military musket OR a "very Plain Jane" rifle for my "dirt-farmer" impression. = James Henry, the older brother of Robert Charles Red Fern, who emigrated to what is now Panola County, TX in the Spring of 1822.
(The real James H. Red Fern died shortly after birth in 1762 of what now would be called: SIDS.)
The Brown Bess was by far the most common firearm in early Texas, as the Bess was sturdy, cheap to buy/trade for & handled everything from farm defense to fighting hostiles as well as small/big game hunting with RB or shot.
Further, at least 90% of new emigrants to Texas-Coahuila between 1820-36 were "flat broke", dressed in nearly worn-out/cast-off clothes, sometimes arrived barefooted (riding "Shanks mare") & came to colonial Texas to start over, get free land, were often "running from the law" and/or came to Texas to "escape unfortunate circumstances".
Such emigrants could NOT have afforded the "fancy" rifles/shotguns/pistols that are often seen at reenactments.
(One of my ancestors arrived at Nacogdoches in 1829, on foot & with exactly 8 cents in his pockets, according to a period document.)
A "well-worn" but safe to fire Bess would be fine for my purposes, as would any number of other late 18th Century & early 19th century "military surplus" or civilian muskets. = I would happily repair/refinish a musket for my use.
(I see no good reason to buy a new Bess/musket & then "mess it up" to look as if it had been on many a long campaign of the AWI or War of 1812.)
IF any member, who may be reading this thread, HAS such a suitable long-arm that is "surplus to your needs" & wishes to sell it, please PM me OR send me an email to: [email protected]
MERRY CHRISTMAS & THANKS.
yours, satx
I'm an ALAMO SHRINE docent & am seeking a flintlock military musket OR a "very Plain Jane" rifle for my "dirt-farmer" impression. = James Henry, the older brother of Robert Charles Red Fern, who emigrated to what is now Panola County, TX in the Spring of 1822.
(The real James H. Red Fern died shortly after birth in 1762 of what now would be called: SIDS.)
The Brown Bess was by far the most common firearm in early Texas, as the Bess was sturdy, cheap to buy/trade for & handled everything from farm defense to fighting hostiles as well as small/big game hunting with RB or shot.
Further, at least 90% of new emigrants to Texas-Coahuila between 1820-36 were "flat broke", dressed in nearly worn-out/cast-off clothes, sometimes arrived barefooted (riding "Shanks mare") & came to colonial Texas to start over, get free land, were often "running from the law" and/or came to Texas to "escape unfortunate circumstances".
Such emigrants could NOT have afforded the "fancy" rifles/shotguns/pistols that are often seen at reenactments.
(One of my ancestors arrived at Nacogdoches in 1829, on foot & with exactly 8 cents in his pockets, according to a period document.)
A "well-worn" but safe to fire Bess would be fine for my purposes, as would any number of other late 18th Century & early 19th century "military surplus" or civilian muskets. = I would happily repair/refinish a musket for my use.
(I see no good reason to buy a new Bess/musket & then "mess it up" to look as if it had been on many a long campaign of the AWI or War of 1812.)
IF any member, who may be reading this thread, HAS such a suitable long-arm that is "surplus to your needs" & wishes to sell it, please PM me OR send me an email to: [email protected]
MERRY CHRISTMAS & THANKS.
yours, satx
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