This was one of the best educational videos on pre-America weapons, I.E. flintlocks and it boggles my mind that others in the black powder ( flintlock) hobby has not shown up. Mr. Larry Horrigan is a man I would really like to sit down and talk with. When all else is done, history is all we have, and there seems to be only a hand full of people who have taken the time to learn FACTUAL history that are willing to share their knowledge. I tip my hat to Mr. Larry Horrigan. "Larry Horrigan, you may be wasting your time on todays youth.
The most common wad material was what was readily available. That was a wad cut from an old wool blanket. Wool doesn't burn or smolder so it won't set the woods on fire. A moth eaten old wool blanket could be bought at any indian village for a few beads. That would provide wadding for months of shooting. Wads could be cut square or made round with a punch. Leather wads either tanned or green buckskin could also be used either cut square or punched round. A ball of towe was sometimes used but was flammable. Leaves or moss could be used in an emergency but that was rare.
Fun thing about gunpowder. Robert Roger writes about screening musket powder for 'small bore fuzies and rifled guns that officers, the Mohawks, and other rangers, owned or preferred to use.' Because the regular regiment only requisition enough for their own.
He forgets to mention that the French Northwest Company actually fought a no holds barred war with the English Hudson's Bay Company over the lakes fur trade.
This is a great talk! I am from Canada and we don't get talks this god about our history. Is there any way to contact Mr. Horrigan directly for additional information?
FWIW, the fluorescent lights which flicker very fast are synced up with the photographic equipment. That's a MASSIVE oversimplification but I believe it's correct as far as it goes.
Great presentation! I can see that you have put a great deal of effort into your clothing and firearm collection and you have a wealth of knowledge. I would only comment that the term "frizzen" is neither an English nor French term: The period correct English term for that part of the lock would be the "steel". I'm not sure of the French term, but the use of those terms would enhance your presentation.
Interesting lubricant you mentioned what are the ratios if you don’t mind. I’m always experimenting and I’m happy with my mix but that doesn’t mean I’m not open to try something different.
A really educational video , so interesting & educational . Im trying to identify & date a lock on an old Ottoman blunderbuss . It is a bit unusual in that the rear of the cock has a recess which was designed to catch on a block to stop the cock travel , the stop block is missing & there is a small rectangular hole where it once fitted , im thinking its an early design ,its not a dog lock as it has an internal half cock , the lock plate is curved so im assuming its French , no visible markings. I would be grateful if you have any ideas to its origin
I hope You really are sure the gun is not loaded while resting on it especially if You decide to rest Your chin on Your hands crossed over the muzzle. Watch Your top not. I enjoyed Your presentation very much. You and people like You who retain the knowledge of old ways and the details of History are treasures. I realize that Your experience with those arms has made You a careful and deliberate Man . You know Your guns and are sure they are not loaded , I understand that. I was a late comer to muzzleloading . I started out with cartridge guns so grew up with those disciplines.
Its not a ignorant comment when You consider that people are creatures of habit and being imperfect are prone to forgetfulness and accidents. Surely there must be recorded History behind the discipline of not resting any part of the body over the muzzle. Who would feel good about someone pointing even a muzzle loader at pets and people and upon being castigated for that, the perpetrator offering the excuse that it was just checked and just practizing aim on moving target’s. Its alway’s a interesting study to hear the excuses offered up by the unrepentant. Of course there will alway’s be those who consider themselves to be perfect and arrogantly deny that as a authority figure any part in being a bad example of disciplines for those who may emulate them without precaution’s.
If you look up the book “the exercise of armes”by Jacob De Gheyn the military use of a matchlock is laid out in detail. It’s a complicated 40+ step process. The movie Alatriste has an excellent showing of a pike and shot infantry formation, though from a Spanish European theater of combat which was different. The American colonies used very different tactics.
Nice collection beautiful copies! I have a copy of a Maryland rifle and if you compare it to the original which is in a museum and in Rifles of Maryland you can’t tell the difference. Of course that kind of detail is not cheap but to me and many others well worth it. Plus it’s a shooter. Nice presentation thanks for sharing!
Is the Willie Nelson 70s look combined with the blacksmith apron, the fishing tackle in the ear lobe, and the John boy Walton glasses resting on the very end of the nose a prerequisite for learning the history of firearms?
