William Moore Flintlock Rampart Gun cal. 2 bore

[hawkeye1755]

Very early English rampart gun with 39-1/4" swamped rnd bbl that is 1-11/16" diameter at the muzzle with a 1-1/8" diameter rifled bore. Breech end of the bbl is approx. 2-3/8" diameter with a small flat on top on which is mounted a fixed rear sight that is marked "100" and "300" meters. Front sight is German silver. Maker's name is engraved on the top flat and the tang is nicely engraved with a trophy of arms and light arabesque patterns. Maker's name also appears on the 6-3/4" long lockplate. Furniture is brass with a massive trigger guard, two guides containing an iron buttonhead ramrod and heavy buttplate with stepped tang. Stock is straight grain walnut, full length, secured with two wedges through the forestock. Forestock also has brass escutcheons around a hole for mounting a pintle.

:hatsoff:

 

[F.G. Ford]

Hey Undertaker,
That would make a fine squirrel gun for the big squirrels we have here in Canada :bull:
All kidding aside, what would the purpose of that gun?

Best Regards
Old Ford

 

[F.G. Ford]

I suppose if you could get all those "FRENCHIES" to stand in a straight line, it would shorten a battle!
Old Ford

 

[Joel/Calgary]

Counter-battery fire, sniping, and probably H & I against besieging forces. There were apparently various light mountings so they could be used in the field as well as on fortifications.

Joel

 

[Many Klatch]

The rampart gun was a "sniper" rifle meant to take out cannon crews. It could shoot about as far as the enemy cannons, and therefore kept the cannons away from the walls and the cannon crews nervous. If the ball hit the cannon, the shrapnel could wound several of the crew at once.

Many Klatch

 

[F.G. Ford]

Thank you for the information, I couldn't see a real purpose for such a large rifle.....other than causing "hernia"
Which would be worse.....shooter or shootee
Old Ford

 

[Mike Brooks]

They were used aboard ship too.

 

[chriskletke]

Where'd you get this photo and information about this rampart rifle??? Just curious as I'm building one in the near future and want some more photos and information about them so I can properly replicate them

 

[hawkeye1755]

Where'd you get this photo and information about this rampart rifle??? Just curious as I'm building one in the near future and want some more photos and information about them so I can properly replicate them

James D. Julia Auctioneer.
But don't ask me about the year.It was the only photo.Sorry.
:hatsoff:

 

[flintriflesmith]

Where'd you get this photo and information about this rampart rifle??? Just curious as I'm building one in the near future and want some more photos and information about them so I can properly replicate them

There are two surviving American made "wall rifles" (just another name). They were made during the Revolutionary War in Fredericksburg Virginia. One is at West Point and the other is at Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island IL. I have always wanted to make one of that style.

Both have full octagon barrels and look like oversized wood patchbox longrifles. Frederick Kleete was the foreman of the Fredericksburg Manufactory when they were made and the stock architecture and trigger guard are very much like those on his rifle in RCA.

George Washington wrote about wall rifles and said they could hit a “sheet of paper” at 400 yards. In addition the already mentioned uses they were very good for stopping unwanted river traffic when the fort overlooked the river.

Gary

 

[wallgunner]

I've also read accounts of Putnams company, and men from Rogers Companies of rangers being issued wall pieces from Fort Edward after the French raided near there in 1756 I believe. When you read wall piece and battoe in the same sentance, most think they carried small cannons or swivel guns. But Putnam later described them as large shoulders arms fired over the ramparts of fort with 41/2' barrels and a caliber of around .96. I'll get you the exact wording if you want.
I also read accounts of the Germans using them against American infantry during the New York campaign in 1776. That was in one of the old histories of the Revolution. I find that one if you want it as well.
The neat thing is that most believe that they were only fired from fortified positions, but in many cases they were carried into the field of battle by one or two men, and manuvered by them at what ever targets were present, be they artillery, infantry, or fortification. I love them!

 

[chriskletke]

Wow guys thanks for all the great info I wrote both those museums and asked for demensions and photos. SO that's going to help me lots. But yeah I wouldn't mind exact demensions of barrel length etc from the rogers rangers wall gun that sounds cool since I do rogers ranger reenactment