Author Topic: Brand New, and need help (Read 603 times)

Yankee Doodle · « **on:** March 13, 2005, 03:42:09 AM »

Hello to all.
I am brand new here, and would appreciate any help you all can provide.
I am a volunteer History Docent at a New York State park, which is located on the site of Fort Clinton, (Revolutionary War) As a part of the tours we run for Schools and other groups, we usually include flintlock firings. Although a few of us have the flinters, they are really not all that period appropriate. Most have long rifles. Period appropriate, but not actually used in the battle that took place here.
The bottom line is, has anyone an idea where we can get 1 to 4 flint muskets or shotguns? (Brown Bess, Charleville, etc.) I know we can buy Pedersoli, but as we have to pay for them ourselves, at nearly $1,000.00 each, the price is way over what we can afford. We are all retired, (Cops, Teachers. Army, Navy) and looking for something usable in the $300 - $500 range.
Can anyone help?
Thank you very much
Yankee Doodle

God Bless America

Ramrod · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2005, 05:29:13 AM »

, and welcome. Yea, these muskets are pretty high. The re-enactor market is small, and at the makers mercy. In that price range, a used gun is a possibility. Online auctions are probably your best bet. Also, there are guns comming in from India that are cheaper than the Italians, but I don't know about quality.

fffffg · « **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2005, 05:41:09 AM »

some bp shooters love reenactments and will show up when called if it isnt a relentless job..contact your local black powder clubs, set a date, and advertise for a shoot in local and surronding areas.. you may get a few to show up.. at first alow all bp shooters.. then ask for a gentle move to period correctness.. id think youll find some young people, men, women and children that will enjoy your ideas.. maybe a rondevue would be best for starters.. the sellers (of black powder and period goods) may completely organize it for you during the tourist season this summer, as they will be the financial winners..get addresses and names , then send out fliers for all to return for more rodevues and competitioin in folowing years... and you can advertise for used gunsclothing etc.. you may find some orriginals that could be donated by widows who want the darn thing out of the house.. firearms interest men, sepparate but keep them all in a portion of the museum each labeled if it is used in the era or not.. if your advertised men will come and the familiy will follow.. in our family each got a turn to decide where they wanted to go, and noone was left out.. it took us to some delightfull places.. if you have the room, there are cannon competitions also.. all this will bring people, and those that have no gear but whant to get into reenacting are the ones you want to target.. tell them what they need to be period correct and they will outfit them selves.. dave

Yankee Doodle · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2005, 01:55:26 PM »

I really appreciate the feedback and ideas, but the problem lies in the fact that before anyone can discharge ANYTHING in the park, they ned prior permission from the powers that be, and the Police. Running any kind of a shoot is out of the question. No way, ain't happening, NEVER. As Docents, we are known to the decision makers, and we can demonstrate as required, but there is no way in hell they will ever approve a mass firing.
Once a year we do have re-enactors on site, but this is just to commemorate the battle that took place here. Then it's an all up demo. Muskets, rifles, and up to a 32 pounder.
We are still looking, so if anyone can help, please reply.
Yankee Doodle

GOD BLESS AMERICA

lostid · « **Reply #4 on:** March 13, 2005, 03:45:48 PM »

I'm with the ones above,,you got some good advise.
find out whom the re-enators are that come once a year( your "powers that be", WILL know them)( trust me,,they are not just a bunch of guy's that show-up hap-hazard).
Perhaps contact the North/South Skirmish Association (aka NSSA;(goog)). That group is huge and ARE all about the Civil War era..

handirifle · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2005, 04:21:08 AM »

Yankee
Go to gunbroker.com and type in the name of the type arm you're looking for. Here is one that showed up when I typed in Brown Bess. There seems to be a few available at quite a price range.

Longknife · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2005, 11:40:26 AM »

YANKEE-DOODLE, First I want to commend you on your dedication to preserving history! I know it is a $$$$$ job as I am currently portraying Pvt. John Shields at Camp River DuBous. I have been into Muzzle loading for quite some time and was pretty well out fitted before sighning up. If you will go to E-bay and look in Rev. War category there is a fellow there that sells Brown Bess Replicas at very resonable prices. These are fully functional but DO NOT HAVE THE TOUCH HOLE DRILLED! this can very easily be accomplished. Also it has been my experiance with these guns that the frizzen will need to be re-hardened to get a good spark! You could probably find a gun smith locally to do this. Good Luck!!!