AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: Dennis Glazener on December 15, 2018, 04:24:07 AM
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https://allthingsliberty.com/2018/12/patrick-ferguson-and-his-rifle/
Dennis
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Thank you, Sir Dennis, for posting this fine article. A love of history has been mine since about age 5, living in D.C., and having a Naval officer to guide me.
Ferguson certainly was an inquisitive soul, and of course developed improvements on the original breech-loading gun.
But reading it again, I do wonder how the British Army won so many battles and colonized so much territory. When I read, "Ferguson was part of a generation of active, intelligent, professional and ambitious British light infantry officers," I really question one's ability if one "purchases" his commission, THEN goes to school to learn tactics and strategy. I wonder what a Cornet cost, in 1760-70 terms. And were the higher ranks also purchased?
There is much to admire about Ferguson's rifle, and about the British Army. But I still dislike officers who purchase their rank. Is it no wonder that I feel many of the BA officers of that period were terribly arrogant?
Again, thanks for posting this very educational article.
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Be on guard at that site. I am sure the site is on the up and up but their header banner may be infected. When I clicked on the banner all sorts of things opened up o my computer.