war 1812 Brown Bess

[goldb]

this is a picture of a musket that came down in my family but we no longer have According to the family history it was carried by an ancestor who was a sergeant in the 41st foot and served in Amherstberg and was at the fall of fort Detroit.
Any ideas on what model it is and the story on the sword bayonet?
The musket might have been altered over the years but this is the only photo

 

[southwest maddog]

These guys could help you out;


http://www.fortyfirst.org/

 

[JP]

Does not look like a Brown Bess Musket and not even a War 1812 era firearm.

I believe it to be a .71cal Austrian M1849 Long Rifle (aka Garibaldi Rifle), they were imported for use during the US Civil War.

http://www.fortdonelsonrelics.com/cgi-bin/Display_Item.asp?930

 

[Road King]

I think this is what you maybe looking at.

 

[Road King]

This thread was all about this rifle. (Austrian M1849 Yager Rifle)
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=589049

 

[goldb]

thank you very much that is certainly what the rifle is
I located the bayonet which fits that model and it matches the picture perfectly

how it came into the family and if it was acquired by Sgt Blaney after the war is now a mistery but a bit of family history has been clarified

thanks all

 

[tiriaq]

Given that these rifles were widely used during the US Civil War, and subsequently disposed of as surplus, it likely entered the family post 1865.

 

[wr.sainsbury]

old bess?

Happen to have a similar piece-mine is about.79 cal with rifled bore.Apparently 21,000 or so were sold into u.s in 1862 for both confederate and union forces before domestic production could ramp up. Most were a conversion from flint as they used up any parts available.