When taking in the entire effort of the war for American independence, I think you are correct in giving the flintlock rifle a smaller role than the smoothbore musket. Flintlock rifles did play a role in the Saratoga Campaign, in which the American victory over Burgoyne persuaded the French to recognize the United States. But smoothbore muskets, their increased rate and volume of fire, and their ability to fix a bayonet did widely overmatch the rifle's overall impact. I spent over 20 years in the US Army Infantry and I can tell you that volume of fire is what truly regains the local advantage when the enemy momentarily achieves the upper hand. You have an excellent channel. Thank you for the quality of its content. Good music too.
Like a designated marksman weapon in a rifle platoon. Nice to have and does its job well, but you’re not going to outfit everyone with it because of all the reasons listed above.
The rifle has a larger impact in the hit and run tactics of Francis Marion and when allowed to use their own tactics instead of the volley tactics of the musket it far surpassed the musket. Volume of fire is nice and all but when you can cut the head off the snake especially in the days of massed formations it made a huge difference. I served as both a 19D and later as an 11B...I've seen well aimed shots be it from an M4 or from an M14 or M24 make a bigger impact than simply slinging lead down range. The frontiers men knew how to counter men using spears from fighting natives so bayonet really didn't mean much to them. But the rifle companies raised near bigger towns and cities absolutely would have issues. The rifle is a trade off, slower but more effective fire and range shot for shot while the musket has more shots but far less effective range and accuracy per shot. However once the Minie Ball came onto the battle field it changed things across the board making the rifle just as fast to shoot as a musket with a rifle accuracy
I love your history chats. You make it clear and interesting. I went to the library in Vancouver BC and found a three books about Canadian History. I also ordered them from a book store. So much to learn. Thank you for keeping history alive. Cheers from the pacific northwest. Canada side.
In both the Battle of Bennington Vermont as well as the Battle of Saratoga 1 and 2 the long rifle and it's Marksman turned the tide against the British
Awesome video as usual my friend. I hope you and Cathy are well. I'm in the Southern part of the United States and we were supposed to have a messy snowstorm today but it was highly overrated in our parts. Of course, if you even think the word snow in the South, people begin to panic. If people would take a page out of the books of our ancestors, I think many would be able to handle the colder weather better. Enough rambling. Again, wonderful bit of history from you and I look forward to next week's video as well.
Thanks for watching and we hope you and your family are weathering the storm, lol! It is funny what a southerner calls a snow storm, we call a skiff. I mean no disrespect, we’ve got the tools to deal with it and you guys don’t.
@@TheWoodlandEscape You are so right. I think the guv'ment figures that since it doesn't snow that often down here, they shouldn't really make the investment of tools to prepare everyone. And again, the tools for the normal fellow just aren't in the stores down here either. My wife keeps trying to get me to visit Michigan but I told her I don't visit places where snow can get up to your butt or higher. lol
Nice video Peter, I have sat in a chair with a military musket and a long rifle, while reading a history book as well. I guess that's the true indication of a dedicated amature historian. It just seems so natural.
I looked at troop numbers at the battle of Yorktown just today. And to me, the deciding factor appears to have been the involvement of the French. Les frogs outnumbered their American Allies by a factor of 1.5 to one and their contribution was crucial.
Thanks to the French, the majority of the Continental Regulars were equipped with the Charleville .69 caliber smooth bore musket. It was basically the Militia who came equipped with their personal rifles - and were expected to have their own bag mold for that rifle (the government supplied powder and lead for them to make their own round balls). The Militia Rifle companies came to be used more as Scout/Sniper companies rather than regular troops. However, the biggest difference came from the fact that, in Britain, hunting was pretty much reserved for the titled elite. So most of the soldiers in the British Army had never fired a gun before they enlisted or were conscripted. Whereas the Americans lived by their guns, using the almost daily for hunting and/or defense. Most Colonial boys learned to shoot as soon as they were tall enough to shoulder a gun. That, combined with the accuracy of the rifle (and the hit & run gorilla tactics learned from the natives) were our true "secret weapon" in the Revolutionary War.
"Morgan says Boone went into the battle armed with a fowling piece stoked with a stout powder charge and a mixed load of shot and roundball (what they called buck-and-ball). We’re so used to thinking of frontiersmen as riflemen that we tend to forget that smoothbores played a big role on the frontier. Especially in battle. The American backcountry rifle might have been the premier long-range weapon of its day, but it was slow to load and maybe not the best choice for a close-range firefight. Boone knew he was likely going into a shootout when the militia mustered to chase down the Indians that besieged Bryan’s Station, so he picked a weapon suited for the task at hand. Boone commanded the left wing of the Kentucky militia force that walked into a Shawnee, Wyandotte and British ambush at Blue Licks. That wing actually pushed forward and made headway before being obliged to retreat as the right flank and center was routed. An Indian rose from behind a stump to get a clear shot at Boone. The frontiersman shouted “Be there!” as he fired his fowling piece and the heavy charge put the warrior down. Boone later said this warrior was the only Indian he was certain of killing in his long career on the frontier."
Fascinating wee bit of history Peter. I believe the British learned a few lessons from the the American revolution to organize their own we bit of research. They came up with their own rifled flint. Believe Ezekiel Baker led the charge for the Baker Rifle, feared during the later part of the Napoleonic wars. Shots up to 300 yards, if not beyond were experienced. Would love to get mee hands on a Baker. Might even find a green jacket to accompany it. 😊 Keep up the good work Peter. I plan to roam the hardwoods just north of ya, flint in hand.
Timothy Murphy is the man credited for shooting Simon Fraser at the Second Battle of Saratoga. There are numerous monuments and markers on the Saratoga Battlefield and in other places such as the Schoharie Valley of New York where Timothy Murphy resided and is now buried. As always a great, informative and educational video from one of my favorite time periods, the American Revolution and the Colonial Era.
I really liked your closing shot of Peter returning from the woods, cresting the rise to overlook Kelly’s Station. It’s a great “in the moment” presentation and captured the imagination. Great info in the video, Morgan’s rifleman are interesting to read about. If I remember correctly, English officers were told to have all their affairs in order before deploying as the odds were against them returning due to the rifleman. This was a new, “improper”scenario to them.
I do recall reading about officers concerns, however statistically there was not an increase of officer losses as compared to other world conflicts of the time. We appreciate your interest and kind words?
Good video! It is amazing to think how such a simple tool had such an impact on the world! And that it is still functional today! Let me at those squirrels!!!
Peter, Thank You For All That You Do and For the Wee Bit of History! I Look Forward To the Weekly Episodes. Blessings and Be Safe and Good Luck Rabbit Hunting!!!
You are spot on regarding the prevalence of muskets in battle. As much as I like a longrifle (having taught longfrifle building classes), my suspicion is that smoothbores were much more prevalent on the frontier as well. My building tastes have been going backwards to encompass earlier smoothies of various styles such as boucanniers, fusils, and Hudson valley fowlers. They were much more practical when one considers the price of a fire arm on the frontier when one had to depend on a fire arm.
Great video Peter and a great subject, one that I'm sure has and will remain talked about around the campfire with different opinions and thoughts. For my two bits I see both of them as being very useful under the right conditions. The weapons themselves will only be as good as the person using it and the circumstances they find themselves in ( in regards to the warfare of the time). I'm reminded of British Lt. James Fitzgibbon who years later during the war of 1812 ( yup, the question of which was better, rifle or smooth bore was still being debated and fresh in every ones mind) ; gave his opinion as ( I'm sure there's some bias here), " I will state here thus early that I consider the rifle in the woods, as well as in the open ground, a contemptible weapon." " The rifle I consider of peculiar value only when used in places inaccessible; but in the woods, where men must run, either after their enemy or from him, the blood must circulate freely, the men must become excited, and then there is an end to perfect steadiness in taking aim, and the least inaccuracy reduces the rifle in this respect to the level of the musket, while it is in all other respects far inferior to it." " Under such circumstance; I repeat it, I hold the rifle in great contempt; and I would most sedulously inculcate and impress this opinion on the minds of my own men. I would make them rejoice in their own musket and bayonet, and laugh in derision at the far praised American rifleman and al his boasted skill in shooting squirrels and wild turkeys." From, " A Veteran of 1812: the Life of James FitzGibbon " As a side note, here the winds have been coming off Lake Huron fairly steady, we got three feet of snow the first week of Dec. and another two feet last week to kick the new year off. Hope all is well, keep your powder dry!
I’m envious of your snow Gerry. Cathy and I are heading north to chase it for a week of snowshoeing and skiing. Fitzgibbon most certainly had a way with words and some very sound arguments for the merits of the smoothbore.
You are 100% right about stories being embellished. From my professional point of view where I have to relate first hand accounts every story is heavily biased. Add to that the influence of peers and you suddenly have fantastic stories which are taken as facts because it was repeated so many times. This is why historians are so important. Thanks again for the great video.
Ah my weekly dose of “a wee bit of history”. I thank you both for the video. Peter, I’d gladly send you back your Canadian weather. We have 14” of snow on the ground and more coming today in southern Ohio. Plus it was 7 degrees last night. Take care my friends.
You’re very kind and thanks for sharing your weather report. We’re keeping you in our thoughts, lol! I’ll see what I can do about that darn Canadian white stuff!
Thanks, Peter, for another wee bit of history. I agree with your point on the rifles use and contribution to the American Revolution. I did play a big role, though, in some battles. Not till the repeating rifle did the rifle really take off as the primary weapon. Stay warm. I'm going to take my flintlock deer hunting this week
Hello Peter, from what I have read, you are spot on correct with your information shared with us. I also have a 1822 patent Harpers Ferry that was converted Flintlock to a percussion cap. I know of 3 Blood relatives that fault in the. revolutionary war, one a militia in the flying camp of Maryland and a Continental soldier and the German brigade and then the last a Stottlemyer in the Maryland 400, that stopped the annihilation of Washington’s army at Long Island. Great to see the gun shop and a great video thank you.
@@TheWoodlandEscape yes I’ve watched you since building the cabin and have enjoyed all of Kathy and your videos, my wife and I are in the General Adam STEPHEN house society, she is in the DAR and I’m in the SAR and we love hearing about both sides of the history. We commend Kathy and yourself for doing such a fine job with keeping our history alive, hussar!!!
I LIKE the closing view showing Kelly's Station behind its palisades. I note that our hunter appears to return without a rabbit. Looks to be 'venison again' for supper.
Proud descendant of one of Morgan’s Rifleman; 5th G-Grandfather Pvt William Moses Ray, Cabell’s 6th Va Militia. I’ve been know to be good on a rifle myself, even got paid for it. Mike
You mentioned 200 yard shots. Clay Hayes has a video on UA-cam where he does exactly that. It’s worth a watch. Thank you so much for your wonderful videos. I anxiously await each one.
Very intresting stuff, some people retire to the couch some retire to their fort you are a legend sir! Keep the videos coming, I took my first deer this year with a muzzleloader an inline and I'd like to dabble in the traditional. What would you suggest
Thanks 👍. If I were just starting out I would seriously consider a fowler/ smoothbore in .62 caliber. With the ability to use shot or round ball you have the best of both worlds.
Thanks for the history lesson. One of my patriot ancestors was one of Morgan's riflemen. Wounded by bayonet during Paoli. Captured and put aboard the Jersey but escaped, according to his pension paperwork.
The rifle had some impact and effect on the out come but I also believe it has been over blown by many. And in the early phases your dead on that a traditional smooth bore had its advantages as well, especially the bayonet because once fired you instantly have a mass formation of spearmen, which was the advantage of bayonet. Givn the situation either had its advantages large formation battles was smooth bore territory, but the rifle was ideal for harassing troops traveling from point to point.
I've never found a first person account from the Rev War era on loading the rifles. Were they using the same technique we see in later generations, such as the short starter? Great video BTW and I agree with your assessment.
I live about 45 minutes north of the Saratoga battlefield, and I visited there last year and have stood where the stone marker is on the site where Simon Fraser supposedly was shot, and you can look all the way across the field to the opposite side of the battlefield and see exactly how far away the 300 yard distance it was for Timothy Murphy to make the shot. Last year at my local blackpowder club we had a match called the Simon Fraser match and the requirements were that the gun you used had to be a flintlock, you had to use a roundball and you had to shoot offhand and it was at 200 yards. The target was a small silhouette of a British soldier. I shot my Pedersoli .32 Kentucky Rifle, which is one of my more accurate muzzleloaders. At 200 yards, my holdover just to hit the target was at least 24 inches. I was able to hit the target, but it took a lot. I would like to see someone actually try a flintlock shot at 300 yards to see what kind of drop you would have to overcome to have made Murphy's shot. I don't have a range here long enough, but I would also like to see it done from an elevated stand since Murphy was supposedly in a train and put the target up 5-6 feet off the ground, since Fraser was on horseback. I think it could have been done, and even in the accounts, Murphy fired two shots before his third hit Fraser.
Where exactly is Kelly station/fort and more importantly, is it open to the public. I know my in-laws would love to come and have a look , they live in pincourt. I would also love to come and have a look, but unfortunately I live in Nottingham in the UK. I'm thoroughly enjoying all of these videos, I enjoy history in general and love teaching bushcraft and partisapating in experimental archaeology, also enjoying old weapons, tools guns. My girlfriend got me into this time period and location as she grew up in Quebec, so Woodland Escape, is right up my alley. Please keep up the great work 💪👍
Beautiful day there, same here in Bancroft with grass poking through everywhere, nice piece of history. Those old flintlock guns are amazing, as a kid my older sister's boyfriend built replica flintlocks and use to bring them up to the cottage in the 70's to try them out, we took them out to the local sandpit for trials and holly molly that rifle threw me right on my ass, I remember he laughed and giggled at me for the whole day. A couple years later I tried a pistil he built, ya I held onto that puppy real tight.
I guess i never really thought about the rifle vs. musket in the revolutionary war, thanks for giving us something to ponder! I would imagine that it was the Colonists' willingness to stand up to the British military that had as much of an effect as a rifle.
Hey Peter! The novels "Arundel" & "Rabble In Arms" by Kenneth Rogers cover the "Northern Campaign" in Canada during the Revolution. I envy your opportunity to read them both for the first time. Enjoy!
I would love to hear a wee bit of history about James Smith, who successfully led a group of rebels (the Black Boys) armed with rifles against the British a decade before the Revolution. One of the most fascinating stories I've ever read!
Where can one find a flintlock in Ontario? I have been looking and looking but no luck! Any reccomendations would be great! Or if you are selling any I would be interested!
TOTW Track of the Wolf. They have parts, kits and completed flintlock rifles & muskets on consignment. Not sure where in Canada. Become our 51st, we welcome you. ( did you know England considered giving Canada to U.S.A. In payment for the debt you incurred to us for WWII ?
It is difficult to find builders in Canada. I might have a Brown Bess I might part with. Send me an email. I personally don’t build them to sell, but simply build them for close friends.
In earlier times when it was under the control of the French, yes. Certianly to a lesser extent in the Rev war, but Montreal and Quebec, most definitely.
What makes the flintlock unreliable is not the round in the weapon it was the powder in the touch hole and the flash pan. No historian would say the rifle was the reason for the colonies prevailing. However, it was one of many, including, tactics, training and will.
I think that in a Settlement Fortification you would want more muskets than rifles. Rifles have range, but muskets are more versatile. Muskets can fire bird shot, buck, buck & ball, and an appropriate sized ball for hunting. Speed of loading would also be a major concern if besieged.
Always a treat when my feed brings me your videos! I caught the muzzleloading bug a couple years ago, and this is a good reminder I've promised myself I'd finish my Woodsrunner kit over the winter so I can start work on my Kibler Fowler this spring. The more I read about the frontier, the more I'm sure if I had been a settler I'd have started with a fowler or a trade gun, supplemented with a rifle only if and when I could afford one.
Having owned both rifled and smooth bore arms I have to say even as a civilian hunter and woodsman I prefer the smooth bore over the rifle. I can do some really accurate shots with my Pedersoli brown bess carbine and I usually carry it more often than my rifle. Even as a light company skirmisher I think I would still take the smooth bore.
I own a Pedersoli brown bess too - but the Infantry musket version. I can confirm that - if loaded correctly - it is much more precise than I've expected. I am not that much of an expert muzzleloading shooter - on the contrary: I'd rather describe myself as a mediocre amateur. But I regularly manage to keep my shots within the size of a football at 50 meters with the greatest challenges being the crude to non existing aiming provisions, the trigger pull and the potential flinging due to the delay between cock action and powder ignition.
Thank you for the information, never thought about the difference between a rifle and a musket other than they were both rifles. Love learning things. Thank you very much.
The rifle used during the American revolution is exaggerated. Even Daniel Boone carried a smoothbore fowler at the battle of blue licks. And George rogers Clark's Illinois regiment were armed with spanish muskets when they attacked Vincennes.
I agree with your assessment on the musket verses rifle. While nothing is more insane then standing 50 yd from your opponent and hurling lead back and forth it was the style of warfare for that time. Takeing one good rifle company with three musketeers sounds like the best of both worlds. Not sure what the ratio between regular army and militia Guerrilla Fighters were but I'm sure most Frontiers men or border men would rather fight next to their neighbor. I would like to get another Smooth Bore but more of a fusil than a musket. Anyway thank you for the video sitting here in the state of Arkansas USA with over a foot of snow and roaring fire.
It was absolutely amazing on how accurate our forefathers were back than as you had to be because if you weren't your family went hungry. Aim small shoot small is a phrase, whether or not it is a historical phrase, I find apropos. Now these days the phrase is spray and pray! Thank you for the content and God Bless to all.
As a history teacher I’m always interested in primary source material. My knowledge of muskets vs rifles is very limited. There were weapons in some wars that contributed to the outcome (machine guns and tanks in WWI, or aircraft carriers in WWII), but my reading suggests that if Washington had just practiced better hygiene in his army that would have made a significant difference in the numbers of men well enough to fight..
Hey Peter ! Great video as always.. I have taken on the task of tanning a deer hide but after I stretched it a decent amount it, it dried out to be stiff. How would I fix this to make it a useable leather ?
It often is a result of not getting all the grain off the fur side. Tanning it a second time might help and don’t stop stretching until it is completely dry …. It is labour intensive.
Once something gets into someone's head it is hard to shake! Them fellers 'cross the pond had it in their heads we could pick them off from a ridge 300 yards away so we did. Even if it was only from a distance of 35 yards away. Fear is a VERY strong motivator or demotivator as the case in point shows. I believe the forefathers were accused of cheating and poor war fighting because we targeted the epaulets and shiny buttons...I believe however that it was mainly the untrained militia (Like Murphy and his riflemen) that saw a benefit in removing those in charge and tried their level best to do it. It seems common sense may have always been in short supply in the U.S. military, while some traditions run back to the Romans.
@@TheWoodlandEscape The "don't shoot officers" rule was meant to prevent the ranks running wild and engaging in such unsavoury things as not giving quarter, warcrimes, the R-word, plundering and pillaging.
There were many in those days on the colonial frontier, both native and immigrants alike that carried the long gun that came to be know as the FOWLER. Many in 62 caliber or 20 gauge which functioned as shotgun and could shoot a .610 caliber lead ball. Perhaps they should be called the colonial musket. Profile much like the American longrifle of the same time period and mostly made in England and imported into the colonies a good bit before the American revolution. Enjoyed you musket/rifle bit O history. Thank you Peter.
Fowler, for the most part we’re indeed built in Europe and I’m convinced the most common gun carried by far. Not everyone could afoot a fancy rifle and they simply lacked the versatility of the fowler.
other reasons for the smooth bore musket it coast a lot less and quicker to manufacture .Also it was much stronger design and less likely to break under combat conditions . By the way the bayonet lug was referd to as a aiming device in some of the British manuals .
Indeed, cost and durability are important factors, and the musket’s strength should not be underestimated! I have a Brown Bess and most certainly use the lug for aiming. One needs some reference point and it’s a good one.
Early combined arms. Not one or the other, but what is the ideal ratio of rifles to muskets? Now if Major Ferguson had not been killed, things might have been different.
One most important factor in the American Revolution was simply geography and the second is that Britian was already fighting another war much closer to home. For all practical purposes the Americas were (and are) a completely logistically isolated planet from the rest of the world powers. It is so vastly underestimated just how MASSIVE the logistic nightmare is for any nation not based in the Americas to do anything in them, you want your navy to go there well hope you can carry LITERALLY everything you need supply wise (that is not basic supplies like food) for the ENTIRETY of the war you plan to wage cause you aren't getting it when you are there (at least in enough quantities to keep well supplied). You could make the argument that you can supply in the south Americas (especially back during the American revolution era) but that is a pretty long supply line to establish.
Your spot on, to supply an army from across the big pond was no small feat. The Continental Army also struggled , but much of that can be attributed to a lack of coordination and cooperation between the States. Washington’s chain across the Hudson at Crown Point was absolutely brilliant in disrupting supply chain for the British into the interior of NY where much of the war was fought.
I've oft wondered on the differences btw the two...and bin too lazy to research it. How fortunate to have Emperor Kelly's 'wee-bit-a'-history' to come along and clarify for us all! Imagine (and I'm sure you do Peter) some of those revolutionary battles in Washington's camp....when the shots are calmed and the need is food and fire. Often without food or proper clothing...the one physical thing they soOOOooo depended on was their rifle/musket. How many stories were shared, hopefully truth to tales on the performance they had had or witnessed from another of their own 'Jenny's' eh? Seems like you were gifted quite the tome. One 'good' one can beat the many! How does Empress Catherine keep 'such' a steady hand surrounded in frigid temps? Quite the woman! Quite the couple! Thank-you most kindly! "A woman who demands further gun control legislation is like a chicken who roots for Colonel Sanders." (Larry Elder). Health an' blessings dear ones! :)
Many thanks for your interest and kind words, we certainly appreciate it. Truth be known, Cathy freezes during filming while I keep warm because I’m usually active. She is tough!
I'd argue that the early enthusiasm for the riflemen and the myths that started even before they showed up in Boston did a lot to buck up morale. And I also take the complaints from the officers with a grain of salt given how much they emphasized traditional warfare with bayonets. In fact my recollection is that it was the lack of bayonets as much as the lack of discipline that soured the American officers to the riflemen. Troops that couldn't charge were seen as inherently problematic
Do you make your clothing or is there a store we can buy something similar from? I'm looking for cold weather period clothing to wear when hunting with my muzzleloader.
Great video as always Peter. Your crazy Canadian weather is drunk down here in Oklahoma and causing problems. 😅 Please come take it home. I don’t think it’s really that controversial, at least to the bulk of your audience. This subject reminds me of a great line from the John Wayne movie, “The Man That Shot Liberty Valance”. At the end of that movie, the reporter tells James Stuart, “Sir, this is the west, when the legend becomes fact, print the legend”. The legend of the American rifleman has been printed and that is where we are today with populist views. Massing of fires followed by the shock of a bayonet charge would usually win out over small pockets of precision. Rifles definitely had their place, but the smoothbore carried the bulk of the load.
I agree but disagree...when doing the whole stand in an open field and shoot at each other sure the musket comes out ahead. However when allowed to use "guerilla" tactics, shooting from cover, hit and run then the rifle far exceeds the musket...so the impact is situationally dependent.. rifle is slower but more accurate shot for shot. The musket is faster but less accurate shot for shot.
Actually any smoothbore made in the era was essentially a shot gun. Double barrel shot guns start appearing are the percussion cap and lock are invented.
The easiest answer is backed up by the fact that most were using English or French muskets. There wasn't enough rifles for the whole army and many were town's people or city dwellers. They were not riflemen. Washington knew he had to get an army good enough to slug it out on the battelfield not the hit and run tactics of the frontier. As to Arnold he left because he was cheated out of money as well as credit for what he did. The paymasters would not pay his men or their supplies. Arnold was not bad with his men and paid out of his pocket to the verge of being bankrupt. There was an ongoing myth about US soldiers shooting abilities. Those in western states for the Civil War were equal to the southern counterparts. Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa soldiers were good. They were not the majority of the army. More came from cities who never used a gun before. It was the same in the Indian Wars as most of the soldiers were immigrants that never used a gun or guys running who weren't any better. The army wasn't big on handing out cartridges paper or metallic for practice.
Your flintlocks, do you own anything from the era or are they all replica, and if so are there many differences between the two? For a Canadian you seem to know quite a bit of early American history.
I have to correct you a bit about the Miné part. First: Claude Miné wasn't the first to design a conical, self expanding bullet - he was the first to make it reliable enough for widespread adaption. Burton only refined that design locally in the US as many others did in Europe (Pritchett, Buholzer and others) - according to the rifled muskets each country adopted. So it was much more of an evolutionary step with the actual revolution - the invention of the conical bullet itself - being something various inventers were trying the same concept at the same time, mainly in France and Britain. I personally somehow wonder why this Idea first took so long to be considered only to be suddently tried and tinkered with by multiple persons simultaneously. Could it be that other industrial factors initially made it hard to construct moulds for conical bullets? I personally don't believe so but there must be some reason...
You are correct, Miné was not the first, but his version did start people thinking/experimenting with the concept. You raise an interesting point about the mold manufacturing.
When taking in the entire effort of the war for American independence, I think you are correct in giving the flintlock rifle a smaller role than the smoothbore musket. Flintlock rifles did play a role in the Saratoga Campaign, in which the American victory over Burgoyne persuaded the French to recognize the United States. But smoothbore muskets, their increased rate and volume of fire, and their ability to fix a bayonet did widely overmatch the rifle's overall impact. I spent over 20 years in the US Army Infantry and I can tell you that volume of fire is what truly regains the local advantage when the enemy momentarily achieves the upper hand. You have an excellent channel. Thank you for the quality of its content. Good music too.
Like a designated marksman weapon in a rifle platoon. Nice to have and does its job well, but you’re not going to outfit everyone with it because of all the reasons listed above.
The sniper was a role well developed. The U.S. Army still uses spotters to help the marksman find his mark. This I understand began in the revolution
The rifle has a larger impact in the hit and run tactics of Francis Marion and when allowed to use their own tactics instead of the volley tactics of the musket it far surpassed the musket. Volume of fire is nice and all but when you can cut the head off the snake especially in the days of massed formations it made a huge difference. I served as both a 19D and later as an 11B...I've seen well aimed shots be it from an M4 or from an M14 or M24 make a bigger impact than simply slinging lead down range. The frontiers men knew how to counter men using spears from fighting natives so bayonet really didn't mean much to them. But the rifle companies raised near bigger towns and cities absolutely would have issues. The rifle is a trade off, slower but more effective fire and range shot for shot while the musket has more shots but far less effective range and accuracy per shot. However once the Minie Ball came onto the battle field it changed things across the board making the rifle just as fast to shoot as a musket with a rifle accuracy
Thank you for your service Richard. You certainly make a sound argument, thanks for sharing.
Thank you Peter for a wee bit of history. May you both stay warm up there.
Thank you sir.
We always appreciate your opinions and delivery. Once again, thanks for another great entry.
You are very welcome, and we appreciate your kind words.
We learn so many cool things from your videos! This topic was very interesting! Your channel is awesome!!
Thanks so much, I really appreciate that.
Great video always enjoy the wee bit of history
Thank you so much!
I love your history chats. You make it clear and interesting. I went to the library in Vancouver BC and found a three books about Canadian History. I also ordered them from a book store. So much to learn. Thank you for keeping history alive. Cheers from the pacific northwest. Canada side.
Thank you for the kind and encouraging words. History can most certainly be fun.
In both the Battle of Bennington Vermont as well as the Battle of Saratoga 1 and 2 the long rifle and it's Marksman turned the tide against the British
It did indeed have its place and moment in the conflict.
Great presentation on rifled, vs smooth bore. Thanks!
Much appreciated!
Awesome video as usual my friend. I hope you and Cathy are well. I'm in the Southern part of the United States and we were supposed to have a messy snowstorm today but it was highly overrated in our parts. Of course, if you even think the word snow in the South, people begin to panic. If people would take a page out of the books of our ancestors, I think many would be able to handle the colder weather better. Enough rambling. Again, wonderful bit of history from you and I look forward to next week's video as well.
Thanks for watching and we hope you and your family are weathering the storm, lol! It is funny what a southerner calls a snow storm, we call a skiff. I mean no disrespect, we’ve got the tools to deal with it and you guys don’t.
@@TheWoodlandEscape You are so right. I think the guv'ment figures that since it doesn't snow that often down here, they shouldn't really make the investment of tools to prepare everyone. And again, the tools for the normal fellow just aren't in the stores down here either. My wife keeps trying to get me to visit Michigan but I told her I don't visit places where snow can get up to your butt or higher. lol
Nice video Peter, I have sat in a chair with a military musket and a long rifle, while reading a history book as well. I guess that's the true indication of a dedicated amature historian. It just seems so natural.
I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon!
I looked at troop numbers at the battle of Yorktown just today. And to me, the deciding factor appears to have been the involvement of the French. Les frogs outnumbered their American Allies by a factor of 1.5 to one and their contribution was crucial.
Thank you again. I do believe your going to force me to get myself a flintlock. Best wishes.
Good stories, beautiful guns, and I appreciate the reference book recommendation.
We’re glad you enjoyed the video and found the book recommendations helpful.
Fascinating.. Thanks.
You’re most welcome and thanks for watching!
very good wee bit of history today Peter, I feel I learned a lot. thanks
We’re glad you enjoyed it!
Very informative and enjoyable. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it, we certainly appreciate your interest.
Great presentation Peter.
We appreciate your interest!
Thanks to the French, the majority of the Continental Regulars were equipped with the Charleville .69 caliber smooth bore musket. It was basically the Militia who came equipped with their personal rifles - and were expected to have their own bag mold for that rifle (the government supplied powder and lead for them to make their own round balls). The Militia Rifle companies came to be used more as Scout/Sniper companies rather than regular troops. However, the biggest difference came from the fact that, in Britain, hunting was pretty much reserved for the titled elite. So most of the soldiers in the British Army had never fired a gun before they enlisted or were conscripted. Whereas the Americans lived by their guns, using the almost daily for hunting and/or defense. Most Colonial boys learned to shoot as soon as they were tall enough to shoulder a gun. That, combined with the accuracy of the rifle (and the hit & run gorilla tactics learned from the natives) were our true "secret weapon" in the Revolutionary War.
You’ve pretty much summed up the American Frontiersman in a paragraph. I for one wouldn’t want one of those young lads taking a bead on me.
please forgive me the pun but.... I've never seen gorillas carrying rifles 😁
@@JosipRadnik1 ain't autocorrect wonderful 😁
@@nahkohese555 The best invention since sliced bread 😆
optimistically looking forward towards self driving cars 😳
Most militia weren't even equipped with rifles...they were smoothbore fowlers used for hunting.
"Morgan says Boone went into the battle armed with a fowling piece stoked with a stout powder charge and a mixed load of shot and roundball (what they called buck-and-ball). We’re so used to thinking of frontiersmen as riflemen that we tend to forget that smoothbores played a big role on the frontier. Especially in battle.
The American backcountry rifle might have been the premier long-range weapon of its day, but it was slow to load and maybe not the best choice for a close-range firefight. Boone knew he was likely going into a shootout when the militia mustered to chase down the Indians that besieged Bryan’s Station, so he picked a weapon suited for the task at hand.
Boone commanded the left wing of the Kentucky militia force that walked into a Shawnee, Wyandotte and British ambush at Blue Licks. That wing actually pushed forward and made headway before being obliged to retreat as the right flank and center was routed.
An Indian rose from behind a stump to get a clear shot at Boone. The frontiersman shouted “Be there!” as he fired his fowling piece and the heavy charge put the warrior down. Boone later said this warrior was the only Indian he was certain of killing in his long career on the frontier."
Thanks for sharing. Odd, the myth is that old Daniel killed dozens when what you relate is much closer to the mark.
You carry the true human spirit. Thank you for another great video!
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Fascinating wee bit of history Peter. I believe the British learned a few lessons from the the American revolution to organize their own we bit of research. They came up with their own rifled flint. Believe Ezekiel Baker led the charge for the Baker Rifle, feared during the later part of the Napoleonic wars. Shots up to 300 yards, if not beyond were experienced. Would love to get mee hands on a Baker. Might even find a green jacket to accompany it. 😊
Keep up the good work Peter. I plan to roam the hardwoods just north of ya, flint in hand.
Indeed the Brits did learn from the Americans and came up with some new ideas of their own. The Baker Rifle was a dandy!
Timothy Murphy is the man credited for shooting Simon Fraser at the Second Battle of Saratoga. There are numerous monuments and markers on the Saratoga Battlefield and in other places such as the Schoharie Valley of New York where Timothy Murphy resided and is now buried.
As always a great, informative and educational video from one of my favorite time periods, the American Revolution and the Colonial Era.
I mistaken called him Patrick. Timothy was indeed an ardent Patriot. Appreciate your interest.
I really liked your closing shot of Peter returning from the woods, cresting the rise to overlook Kelly’s Station. It’s a great “in the moment” presentation and captured the imagination.
Great info in the video, Morgan’s rifleman are interesting to read about. If I remember correctly, English officers were told to have all their affairs in order before deploying as the odds were against them returning due to the rifleman. This was a new, “improper”scenario to them.
I do recall reading about officers concerns, however statistically there was not an increase of officer losses as compared to other world conflicts of the time. We appreciate your interest and kind words?
Good video! It is amazing to think how such a simple tool had such an impact on the world! And that it is still functional today! Let me at those squirrels!!!
Indeed it did Ian!
Great video👍, and what is that model name of the rifle where you engraved Jenny?
Always interesting, thank you!
We appreciate you watching!
I love what you have done up Peter.
Thank you for the kind words.
Peter, excellent video..spot on
.im.still amazed at your fort!
It was a lot of work, but I’m really please with the progress we’ve made. Thanks for the kind words.
Great video as always
We appreciate your kind words!
Peter, Thank You For All That You Do and For the Wee Bit of History! I Look Forward To the Weekly Episodes. Blessings and Be Safe and Good Luck Rabbit Hunting!!!
We’re happy you appreciate the effort.
You are spot on regarding the prevalence of muskets in battle. As much as I like a longrifle (having taught longfrifle building classes), my suspicion is that smoothbores were much more prevalent on the frontier as well. My building tastes have been going backwards to encompass earlier smoothies of various styles such as boucanniers, fusils, and Hudson valley fowlers. They were much more practical when one considers the price of a fire arm on the frontier when one had to depend on a fire arm.
I completely agree, practicality often wins out. Most could ill afford a second gun and common sense was that the one and only be a fowler.
As always fascinating history chat ,,,yes a wee bit cold down here in Pennsylvania
Yup, just another day on the frontier, lol.
Great video Peter and a great subject, one that I'm sure has and will remain talked about around the campfire with different opinions and thoughts. For my two bits I see both of them as being very useful under the right conditions. The weapons themselves will only be as good as the person using it and the circumstances they find themselves in ( in regards to the warfare of the time). I'm reminded of British Lt. James Fitzgibbon who years later during the war of 1812 ( yup, the question of which was better, rifle or smooth bore was still being debated and fresh in every ones mind) ; gave his opinion as ( I'm sure there's some bias here),
" I will state here thus early that I consider the rifle in the woods, as well as in the open ground, a contemptible weapon."
" The rifle I consider of peculiar value only when used in places inaccessible; but in the woods, where men must run, either after their enemy or from him, the blood must circulate freely, the men must become excited, and then there is an end to perfect steadiness in taking aim, and the least inaccuracy reduces the rifle in this respect to the level of the musket, while it is in all other respects far inferior to it."
" Under such circumstance; I repeat it, I hold the rifle in great contempt; and I would most sedulously inculcate and impress this opinion on the minds of my own men. I would make them rejoice in their own musket and bayonet, and laugh in derision at the far praised American rifleman and al his boasted skill in shooting squirrels and wild turkeys." From, " A Veteran of 1812: the Life of James FitzGibbon "
As a side note, here the winds have been coming off Lake Huron fairly steady, we got three feet of snow the first week of Dec. and another two feet last week to kick the new year off. Hope all is well, keep your powder dry!
I’m envious of your snow Gerry. Cathy and I are heading north to chase it for a week of snowshoeing and skiing.
Fitzgibbon most certainly had a way with words and some very sound arguments for the merits of the smoothbore.
You are 100% right about stories being embellished. From my professional point of view where I have to relate first hand accounts every story is heavily biased. Add to that the influence of peers and you suddenly have fantastic stories which are taken as facts because it was repeated so many times. This is why historians are so important. Thanks again for the great video.
It is indeed fascinating to see how stories change over time. And thank you sir for the kind words.
Ah my weekly dose of “a wee bit of history”. I thank you both for the video. Peter, I’d gladly send you back your Canadian weather. We have 14” of snow on the ground and more coming today in southern Ohio. Plus it was 7 degrees last night.
Take care my friends.
You’re very kind and thanks for sharing your weather report. We’re keeping you in our thoughts, lol! I’ll see what I can do about that darn Canadian white stuff!
Thank you for the wee bit of history. How tough the armies had to be to endure the weather. Love hearing about the guns they were using then.
Indeed, they were tough and resilient men and women …Valley Forge comes to mind!
Thanks, Peter, for another wee bit of history. I agree with your point on the rifles use and contribution to the American Revolution. I did play a big role, though, in some battles. Not till the repeating rifle did the rifle really take off as the primary weapon. Stay warm. I'm going to take my flintlock deer hunting this week
Good luck on your hunt my friend. The Henry rifle “ load it on Sunday and shoot all week”!
I heard you guys got some great news the other day!!
Every day I wake and look in a mirror is good news. Sorry, I don’t know what you’re referring too.
@@TheWoodlandEscape someone resigned!
Hello Peter, from what I have read, you are spot on correct with your information shared with us. I also have a 1822 patent Harpers Ferry that was converted Flintlock to a percussion cap. I know of 3 Blood relatives that fault in the. revolutionary war, one a militia in the flying camp of Maryland and a Continental soldier and the German brigade and then the last a Stottlemyer in the Maryland 400, that stopped the annihilation of Washington’s army at Long Island. Great to see the gun shop and a great video thank you.
You must be a history buff, sounds fascinating. Thanks for watching.
@@TheWoodlandEscape yes I’ve watched you since building the cabin and have enjoyed all of Kathy and your videos, my wife and I are in the General Adam STEPHEN house society, she is in the DAR and I’m in the SAR and we love hearing about both sides of the history. We commend Kathy and yourself for doing such a fine job with keeping our history alive, hussar!!!
thank you peter..you are my teacher...
You are most welcome, glad you enjoyed it!
Poured myself a fresh cup of coffee to sit down with you….started reading “The Conquerers”…recently……….great video today
Enjoy that coffee and the book. It's sounds like a good one.
Great video educational 👍👍👍👍👍
We’re glad you found it so, sir.
I LIKE the closing view showing Kelly's Station behind its palisades. I note that our hunter appears to return without a rabbit. Looks to be 'venison again' for supper.
Yup, but I won’t be going hungry, lol. Too bloody cold for the rabbits.
Proud descendant of one of Morgan’s Rifleman; 5th G-Grandfather Pvt William Moses Ray, Cabell’s 6th Va Militia. I’ve been know to be good on a rifle myself, even got paid for it. Mike
Indeed, that is something to be proud of. He was an ardent Patriot.
You mentioned 200 yard shots. Clay Hayes has a video on UA-cam where he does exactly that. It’s worth a watch. Thank you so much for your wonderful videos. I anxiously await each one.
You are most welcome. I’m glad you appreciate the content! I’ll definitely check out his video.
Very intresting stuff, some people retire to the couch some retire to their fort you are a legend sir! Keep the videos coming, I took my first deer this year with a muzzleloader an inline and I'd like to dabble in the traditional. What would you suggest
Thanks 👍. If I were just starting out I would seriously consider a fowler/ smoothbore in .62 caliber. With the ability to use shot or round ball you have the best of both worlds.
Thanks for the history lesson. One of my patriot ancestors was one of Morgan's riflemen. Wounded by bayonet during Paoli. Captured and put aboard the Jersey but escaped, according to his pension paperwork.
That is a truly remarkable story! Thank you for sharing!
Verry interesting video as usual! I love the history on the rifle and the musket! Like the fort! Learned something more about powder. David Back USA.
The rifle had some impact and effect on the out come but I also believe it has been over blown by many. And in the early phases your dead on that a traditional smooth bore had its advantages as well, especially the bayonet because once fired you instantly have a mass formation of spearmen, which was the advantage of bayonet. Givn the situation either had its advantages large formation battles was smooth bore territory, but the rifle was ideal for harassing troops traveling from point to point.
The Revolutionary War was won by smoothbore muskets. Rifles are skirmishers' weapons, but sharpshooters don't win wars.
It is a fascinating subject with lots of nuances, and thanks for sharing your perspective … which I totally agree with!
Peter,
A great discussion. Were plug bayonets used very often? I imagine many volunteers showed up with rifles without bayonet lugs.
Thank you. I’m afraid I don’t have an answer to your question, but it’s a good one.
Plug bayonets were obsolete by the end of the 18th c. They are not good weapons since no attachment to the longarm is employed.
I use “ chewed balls” in my smooth bore. I use a horseshoe rasp to roughen them up. No Patch , no wadding. And it shoot pretty accurate to 100 paces
I have also had reason accuracy from your technique.
I've never found a first person account from the Rev War era on loading the rifles. Were they using the same technique we see in later generations, such as the short starter? Great video BTW and I agree with your assessment.
Neither have I. As to a short starter, I’ve never seen any reference to their use at all.
Interesting wee bit of history lesson, looks cold where you are. Keep your powder dry and take care. Thanks for the video
It has indeed been cold, but sadly little snow. Watch yer top knot!
I live about 45 minutes north of the Saratoga battlefield, and I visited there last year and have stood where the stone marker is on the site where Simon Fraser supposedly was shot, and you can look all the way across the field to the opposite side of the battlefield and see exactly how far away the 300 yard distance it was for Timothy Murphy to make the shot. Last year at my local blackpowder club we had a match called the Simon Fraser match and the requirements were that the gun you used had to be a flintlock, you had to use a roundball and you had to shoot offhand and it was at 200 yards. The target was a small silhouette of a British soldier. I shot my Pedersoli .32 Kentucky Rifle, which is one of my more accurate muzzleloaders. At 200 yards, my holdover just to hit the target was at least 24 inches. I was able to hit the target, but it took a lot. I would like to see someone actually try a flintlock shot at 300 yards to see what kind of drop you would have to overcome to have made Murphy's shot. I don't have a range here long enough, but I would also like to see it done from an elevated stand since Murphy was supposedly in a train and put the target up 5-6 feet off the ground, since Fraser was on horseback. I think it could have been done, and even in the accounts, Murphy fired two shots before his third hit Fraser.
I would love to try that match! However, hitting even a large target at 300 yards would have a lot more luck involved versus good management.
Great video, I have a Masters Degree in American History, this time period is my particular interest. Well done
Thank you for your kind words, we appreciate your interest. Coming from an Academic I’m quite flattered.
Where exactly is Kelly station/fort and more importantly, is it open to the public. I know my in-laws would love to come and have a look , they live in pincourt. I would also love to come and have a look, but unfortunately I live in Nottingham in the UK. I'm thoroughly enjoying all of these videos, I enjoy history in general and love teaching bushcraft and partisapating in experimental archaeology, also enjoying old weapons, tools guns. My girlfriend got me into this time period and location as she grew up in Quebec, so Woodland Escape, is right up my alley. Please keep up the great work 💪👍
It is located in Eastern Ontario and not open to the public. We do however love guests, ask them to email us directly.
@TheWoodlandEscape many thanks 👍
Beautiful day there, same here in Bancroft with grass poking through everywhere, nice piece of history. Those old flintlock guns are amazing, as a kid my older sister's boyfriend built replica flintlocks and use to bring them up to the cottage in the 70's to try them out, we took them out to the local sandpit for trials and holly molly that rifle threw me right on my ass, I remember he laughed and giggled at me for the whole day. A couple years later I tried a pistil he built, ya I held onto that puppy real tight.
Ah, the joys of learning to handle a flintlock!
I guess i never really thought about the rifle vs. musket in the revolutionary war, thanks for giving us something to ponder! I would imagine that it was the Colonists' willingness to stand up to the British military that had as much of an effect as a rifle.
You raise an interesting point, they were a tenacious lot!
Hey Peter! The novels "Arundel" & "Rabble In Arms" by Kenneth Rogers cover the "Northern Campaign" in Canada during the Revolution. I envy your opportunity to read them both for the first time. Enjoy!
Thanks for the recommendations, Martin.
👍great video
Thank you for your kind words!
@ 🙂
I would love to hear a wee bit of history about James Smith, who successfully led a group of rebels (the Black Boys) armed with rifles against the British a decade before the Revolution. One of the most fascinating stories I've ever read!
Food for thought, thanks for planting the seed.
Where can one find a flintlock in Ontario? I have been looking and looking but no luck! Any reccomendations would be great! Or if you are selling any I would be interested!
TOTW Track of the Wolf. They have parts, kits and completed flintlock rifles & muskets on consignment. Not sure where in Canada. Become our 51st, we welcome you. ( did you know England considered giving Canada to U.S.A. In payment for the debt you incurred to us for WWII ?
@@Badhabit-cx1chyeh, that’s what I’ve heard. I have a Kibler Colonial that came in several months ago. Maybe I should sell it
It is difficult to find builders in Canada. I might have a Brown Bess I might part with. Send me an email. I personally don’t build them to sell, but simply build them for close friends.
I always enjoy your videos, my question is did Canada have any arsenals producing arms & powder, or was it all shipped in from England?
In earlier times when it was under the control of the French, yes. Certianly to a lesser extent in the Rev war, but Montreal and Quebec, most definitely.
What makes the flintlock unreliable is not the round in the weapon it was the powder in the touch hole and the flash pan. No historian would say the rifle was the reason for the colonies prevailing. However, it was one of many, including, tactics, training and will.
I think that in a Settlement Fortification you would want more muskets than rifles.
Rifles have range, but muskets are more versatile.
Muskets can fire bird shot, buck, buck & ball, and an appropriate sized ball for hunting. Speed of loading would also be a major concern if besieged.
Indeed, they are far more versatile.
Always a treat when my feed brings me your videos! I caught the muzzleloading bug a couple years ago, and this is a good reminder I've promised myself I'd finish my Woodsrunner kit over the winter so I can start work on my Kibler Fowler this spring. The more I read about the frontier, the more I'm sure if I had been a settler I'd have started with a fowler or a trade gun, supplemented with a rifle only if and when I could afford one.
Having owned both rifled and smooth bore arms I have to say even as a civilian hunter and woodsman I prefer the smooth bore over the rifle. I can do some really accurate shots with my Pedersoli brown bess carbine and I usually carry it more often than my rifle. Even as a light company skirmisher I think I would still take the smooth bore.
I totally agree.
I own a Pedersoli brown bess too - but the Infantry musket version. I can confirm that - if loaded correctly - it is much more precise than I've expected. I am not that much of an expert muzzleloading shooter - on the contrary: I'd rather describe myself as a mediocre amateur. But I regularly manage to keep my shots within the size of a football at 50 meters with the greatest challenges being the crude to non existing aiming provisions, the trigger pull and the potential flinging due to the delay between cock action and powder ignition.
Thank you for the information, never thought about the difference between a rifle and a musket other than they were both rifles. Love learning things. Thank you very much.
Glad you enjoyed the video, hopefully it provided some insight!
Hay I love your videos and channel because you know the history. We were born way too late.
Thank you and hear, hear.
Always interesting and always informative. Good luck with your rabbit hunt. In my part of the woods I haven't seen a rabbit in several years.
Thank you, the rabbit hunt was a bust this time but that’s how it goes in the wild. We do have a healthy population around here.
The rifle used during the American revolution is exaggerated. Even Daniel Boone carried a smoothbore fowler at the battle of blue licks. And George rogers Clark's Illinois regiment were armed with spanish muskets when they attacked Vincennes.
You’re spot on!
Peter, what was the reference book you were quoting from? I may run out of research material sometime this decade!
It is called The Spirit of 1776, over 1400 pages of first person accounts.
@@TheWoodlandEscape Thanks for the info!
Is that your Kibler you built?
I agree with your assessment on the musket verses rifle. While nothing is more insane then standing 50 yd from your opponent and hurling lead back and forth it was the style of warfare for that time. Takeing one good rifle company with three musketeers sounds like the best of both worlds. Not sure what the ratio between regular army and militia Guerrilla Fighters were but I'm sure most Frontiers men or border men would rather fight next to their neighbor. I would like to get another Smooth Bore but more of a fusil than a musket. Anyway thank you for the video sitting here in the state of Arkansas USA with over a foot of snow and roaring fire.
Modern soldiers can spend hours throwing lead at each other from 50 yards away
The Fusil has the most elegant lines and makes for a good versatile gun.
Holy cow you can see your breath its so cold in there !
Yes, it was a chilly day for filming, but we’re Canadians, lol. Unless it’s minus 30 or so, we consider it balmy!
It was absolutely amazing on how accurate our forefathers were back than as you had to be because if you weren't your family went hungry. Aim small shoot small is a phrase, whether or not it is a historical phrase, I find apropos. Now these days the phrase is spray and pray! Thank you for the content and God Bless to all.
An interesting use of quotes, thanks for sharing.
Rate of fire and the number of projectiles in the air makes the difference. A wound was just as good as a kill.
Often the wounded were considered better than a kill as it took two to carry off a wounded soldier, taking more out of the battle.
As a history teacher I’m always interested in primary source material. My knowledge of muskets vs rifles is very limited. There were weapons in some wars that contributed to the outcome (machine guns and tanks in WWI, or aircraft carriers in WWII), but my reading suggests that if Washington had just practiced better hygiene in his army that would have made a significant difference in the numbers of men well enough to fight..
Machine guns and tanks did not affect the outcome of WWI.
We share a common passion sir. Indeed, more succumbed to sickness than lead balls.
Hey Peter ! Great video as always.. I have taken on the task of tanning a deer hide but after I stretched it a decent amount it, it dried out to be stiff. How would I fix this to make it a useable leather ?
It often is a result of not getting all the grain off the fur side. Tanning it a second time might help and don’t stop stretching until it is completely dry …. It is labour intensive.
Love the reference to our wonderful mom Jennie. 🥰
Right.
Once something gets into someone's head it is hard to shake! Them fellers 'cross the pond had it in their heads we could pick them off from a ridge 300 yards away so we did. Even if it was only from a distance of 35 yards away. Fear is a VERY strong motivator or demotivator as the case in point shows. I believe the forefathers were accused of cheating and poor war fighting because we targeted the epaulets and shiny buttons...I believe however that it was mainly the untrained militia (Like Murphy and his riflemen) that saw a benefit in removing those in charge and tried their level best to do it. It seems common sense may have always been in short supply in the U.S. military, while some traditions run back to the Romans.
A very well worded and convincing argument. The Brits actually accused the riflemen of being poor sportsman, lol.
@@TheWoodlandEscape The "don't shoot officers" rule was meant to prevent the ranks running wild and engaging in such unsavoury things as not giving quarter, warcrimes, the R-word, plundering and pillaging.
There were many in those days on the colonial frontier, both native and immigrants alike that carried the long gun that came to be know as the FOWLER. Many in 62 caliber or 20 gauge which functioned as shotgun and could shoot a .610 caliber lead ball. Perhaps they should be called the colonial musket. Profile much like the American longrifle of the same time period and mostly made in England and imported into the colonies a good bit before the American revolution. Enjoyed you musket/rifle bit O history. Thank you Peter.
Fowler, for the most part we’re indeed built in Europe and I’m convinced the most common gun carried by far. Not everyone could afoot a fancy rifle and they simply lacked the versatility of the fowler.
16:25 Did you mean Timothy Murphy?
I believe he did.
My apologies, yes I did.
Interesting
Glad you enjoyed.
other reasons for the smooth bore musket it coast a lot less and quicker to manufacture .Also it was much stronger design and less likely to break under combat conditions . By the way the bayonet lug was referd to as a aiming device in some of the British manuals .
Indeed, cost and durability are important factors, and the musket’s strength should not be underestimated! I have a Brown Bess and most certainly use the lug for aiming. One needs some reference point and it’s a good one.
Early combined arms. Not one or the other, but what is the ideal ratio of rifles to muskets? Now if Major Ferguson had not been killed, things might have been different.
A very interesting point of view!
One most important factor in the American Revolution was simply geography and the second is that Britian was already fighting another war much closer to home. For all practical purposes the Americas were (and are) a completely logistically isolated planet from the rest of the world powers. It is so vastly underestimated just how MASSIVE the logistic nightmare is for any nation not based in the Americas to do anything in them, you want your navy to go there well hope you can carry LITERALLY everything you need supply wise (that is not basic supplies like food) for the ENTIRETY of the war you plan to wage cause you aren't getting it when you are there (at least in enough quantities to keep well supplied). You could make the argument that you can supply in the south Americas (especially back during the American revolution era) but that is a pretty long supply line to establish.
Second? Aren't you confusing the AWI with the Seven Years War?
Your spot on, to supply an army from across the big pond was no small feat. The Continental Army also struggled , but much of that can be attributed to a lack of coordination and cooperation between the States. Washington’s chain across the Hudson at Crown Point was absolutely brilliant in disrupting supply chain for the British into the interior of NY where much of the war was fought.
I've oft wondered on the differences btw the two...and bin too lazy to research it. How fortunate to have Emperor Kelly's 'wee-bit-a'-history' to come along and clarify for us all! Imagine (and I'm sure you do Peter) some of those revolutionary battles in Washington's camp....when the shots are calmed and the need is food and fire. Often without food or proper clothing...the one physical thing they soOOOooo depended on was their rifle/musket. How many stories were shared, hopefully truth to tales on the performance they had had or witnessed from another of their own 'Jenny's' eh? Seems like you were gifted quite the tome. One 'good' one can beat the many! How does Empress Catherine keep 'such' a steady hand surrounded in frigid temps? Quite the woman! Quite the couple! Thank-you most kindly! "A woman who demands further gun control legislation is like a chicken who roots for Colonel Sanders." (Larry Elder). Health an' blessings dear ones! :)
Many thanks for your interest and kind words, we certainly appreciate it. Truth be known, Cathy freezes during filming while I keep warm because I’m usually active. She is tough!
I'd argue that the early enthusiasm for the riflemen and the myths that started even before they showed up in Boston did a lot to buck up morale. And I also take the complaints from the officers with a grain of salt given how much they emphasized traditional warfare with bayonets. In fact my recollection is that it was the lack of bayonets as much as the lack of discipline that soured the American officers to the riflemen. Troops that couldn't charge were seen as inherently problematic
You are spot on sir. At the start rifle companies were granted special privileges, but that soon changed.
Do you make your clothing or is there a store we can buy something similar from? I'm looking for cold weather period clothing to wear when hunting with my muzzleloader.
We make our own for the most part. If you go to our playlist we did a tutorial on making a trade shirt like I’m wearing from a single blanket.
Great video as always Peter. Your crazy Canadian weather is drunk down here in Oklahoma and causing problems. 😅 Please come take it home.
I don’t think it’s really that controversial, at least to the bulk of your audience.
This subject reminds me of a great line from the John Wayne movie, “The Man That Shot Liberty Valance”. At the end of that movie, the reporter tells James Stuart, “Sir, this is the west, when the legend becomes fact, print the legend”. The legend of the American rifleman has been printed and that is where we are today with populist views.
Massing of fires followed by the shock of a bayonet charge would usually win out over small pockets of precision. Rifles definitely had their place, but the smoothbore carried the bulk of the load.
You present a sound argument, sir. As to that darn Canadian snow, I’ll see what I can do, lol!
Good show, as always. So Peter, have you " made meat" with your Woodsrunner? Also a request. Next week dress, cook and eat said rabbit?
I have, but the rabbits won the other day, lol.
Thanks for another great video. At least this cold, dry air should help keep your powder dry . Good luck to you and Jenny with that rabbit.
Indeed, it's much easier to keep powder dry in such conditions. As to the rabbit, the rabbit won, lol.
I agree but disagree...when doing the whole stand in an open field and shoot at each other sure the musket comes out ahead. However when allowed to use "guerilla" tactics, shooting from cover, hit and run then the rifle far exceeds the musket...so the impact is situationally dependent.. rifle is slower but more accurate shot for shot. The musket is faster but less accurate shot for shot.
The battle of King’s Mountain supports how well the rifle worked against the musket.
All valid arguments, thanks for the feedback.
Can you tell more about your winter costume(s)? (l hint, that l'd like to see a video)
I like to know how we whent from the blunder buss,,to the shotgun???😊
Actually any smoothbore made in the era was essentially a shot gun. Double barrel shot guns start appearing are the percussion cap and lock are invented.
The easiest answer is backed up by the fact that most were using English or French muskets. There wasn't enough rifles for the whole army and many were town's people or city dwellers. They were not riflemen. Washington knew he had to get an army good enough to slug it out on the battelfield not the hit and run tactics of the frontier. As to Arnold he left because he was cheated out of money as well as credit for what he did. The paymasters would not pay his men or their supplies. Arnold was not bad with his men and paid out of his pocket to the verge of being bankrupt. There was an ongoing myth about US soldiers shooting abilities. Those in western states for the Civil War were equal to the southern counterparts. Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa soldiers were good. They were not the majority of the army. More came from cities who never used a gun before. It was the same in the Indian Wars as most of the soldiers were immigrants that never used a gun or guys running who weren't any better. The army wasn't big on handing out cartridges paper or metallic for practice.
All very valid points, sir. Thanks for sharing.
Good evening from Syracuse NY United States of America my friend and everyone
Thanks Earl.
Your flintlocks, do you own anything from the era or are they all replica, and if so are there many differences between the two? For a Canadian you seem to know quite a bit of early American history.
I do not own any originals, but have studied a number and when building new ones I attempt to actually recreate the originals.
I have to correct you a bit about the Miné part. First: Claude Miné wasn't the first to design a conical, self expanding bullet - he was the first to make it reliable enough for widespread adaption. Burton only refined that design locally in the US as many others did in Europe (Pritchett, Buholzer and others) - according to the rifled muskets each country adopted. So it was much more of an evolutionary step with the actual revolution - the invention of the conical bullet itself - being something various inventers were trying the same concept at the same time, mainly in France and Britain. I personally somehow wonder why this Idea first took so long to be considered only to be suddently tried and tinkered with by multiple persons simultaneously. Could it be that other industrial factors initially made it hard to construct moulds for conical bullets? I personally don't believe so but there must be some reason...
You are correct, Miné was not the first, but his version did start people thinking/experimenting with the concept. You raise an interesting point about the mold manufacturing.