What rifle for war of 1812

[Md80runway23]

I would like your thoughts on what might be a good rifle for a militia man in the south during the war of 1812 or creek war? I’m talking a southern Militia, much like would have been seen among Jackson’s troops. Would the Kibler Colonial suffice? Thanks

 

[Flintlock Fellow]

The Kibler Colonial would absolutely suffice and could even be a great choice! By the time of the War of 1812 and the Creek War, southern militia troops would have been carrying a mix of firearms. Many still relied on personal long rifles, often of the Southern or Pennsylvania style, while others might have used muskets like the 1795 Springfield or British Brown Bess if they were supplied by the government or acquired through trade.

For a militia man from the South, a long rifle would make sense, as they often prized accuracy for hunting and skirmishing. The Kibler Colonial, with its lines and proportions, fits right into the period and region, especially if you configure it with simpler furnishings to reflect the practicality of a militia rifle. If you’re aiming for historical accuracy, you might want to consider how it would be carried—perhaps adding a bayonet lug or sling hardware if it was meant to double as a military piece.

It’s a great rifle that represents the craftsmanship and utility you’d expect from that time.

 

[Cruzatte]

I would like your thoughts on what might be a good rifle for a militia man in the south during the war of 1812 or creek war? I’m talking a southern Militia, much like would have been seen among Jackson’s troops. Would the Kibler Colonial suffice? Thanks

I think the Kibler rifle is too early. In my opinion, a better representation would be a Golden Age Lancaster pattern, like a Dickert, or a Derringer rifle, or a Southern style rifle.

 

[LT Joe]

I recommend getting a Pedersoli Charleville. The Charleville is almost identical to the Model 1795 musket made and issued by the new United States of America to their troops. That musket would also have probably been available to militia participants in the War of 1812. This is the musket I use for my War of 1812 reenacting of the TN Militia mustered under Andrew Jackson.

 

[Flintlock Fellow]

I think the Kibler rifle is too early. In my opinion, a better representation would be a Golden Age Lancaster pattern, like a Dickert, or a Derringer rifle, or a Southern style rifle.

I must respectively disagree. Rifles built in the 1770s were still in use during the War of 1812. Many militia members, particularly in rural areas, relied on firearms passed down through generations or built decades earlier.

While advancements in firearm technology occurred between the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, most of these improvements were incremental, and older rifles remained effective tools for militia use. Additionally, the U.S. government often struggled to fully equip militia forces with standardized weapons, so individuals frequently brought their personal arms to the fight.

I mean, for heaven’s sake… there are instances of members in the Confederate forces still using flintlock rifles during the Civil War!

 

[BoomStick]

I'd think a 1795 musket or the 1763/66 Charleville would be a correct choice. I generally think militia trained and used a common weapon. Sure, they reported carrying the family gun, but when mustered they would be issued a common arm for their unit. To effectively supply the militia with equipment and ammo requires common training and armaments.

 

[FlinterNick]

I think the Kibler rifle is too early. In my opinion, a better representation would be a Golden Age Lancaster pattern, like a Dickert, or a Derringer rifle, or a Southern style rifle.

The average reinactor wouldn’t know what kind of rifle is appropriate for a war of 1812 representation.

Just to go over a few facts.

Rifles such as a colonial long rifle would have been available, similar in style but is not exactly correct, but the average person simply wouldn’t know this, so i think a Kilber is ok. I would simply argue that similar style rifles were used, the more common calibers of that were 40-54. Anything in .58 or .62 is probably going to be on the British side.

Muskets for the War of 1812, 1795 springfields are absolutely appropriate throughout the war. Believe it or not, there were quite a number of third model brown Bess contract muskets used on the American side but mostly the New England militia and security contractors.

1803 and 1814 Flintlock Rifles were used by both the military and contracted to militia under the common rifle system.

Northwest guns would have been used by both US and Canadian militia as they were widely traded by that point.

1795 contract rifles and Virginia system military rifles would have been available also.

As far as civilian rifles are concerned, its very hard to say what is appropriate and what is not, by the 1790’s there many styles of civilian rifles being produced in the early republic era. one thing I will say though is that militia units preferred smoothbores for drilling, unless they were of the Rag Tag type units in the South that Jackson had recruited.

 

[FlinterNick]

I'd think a 1795 contract musket or the 1763/66 Charleville would be a correct choice. I generally think militia trained and used a common weapon. Sure, they reported carrying the family gun, but when mustered they would be issued a common arm. To effectively supply the militia with equipment and ammo requires common training and armaments.

There were a few French muskets being used by New England Mlitia units during the War of 1812, mostly th e1766 and 1774 models with US surcharges.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I would like your thoughts on what might be a good rifle for a militia man in the south during the war of 1812 or creek war? I’m talking a southern Militia, much like would have been seen among Jackson’s troops. Would the Kibler Colonial suffice? Thanks

Yes, the Kibler Colonial would be very appropriate for that time period

 

[nchawkeye]

Two rifles that would make a good candidate are David Crockett's first rifle, it was a York County rifle, about .48 caliber, typical late Lancaster style with double set triggers. Then there is the William Ross rifle documented as being at the Battle of New Orleans, about .38 caliber, made in Virginia, also with double set triggers. Both had brass patch boxes as well.

Photo below is of the Crockett rifle.

 

[springfield art]

Interesting overall conversation! Thanks, all.