Author Topic: Samuel J. Reader's Free-State Rifle Used at the Battle of Hickory Point  (Read 1641 times)

Offline Seth Isaacson

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Stumbled across this while looking into some guns online earlier today and figured some of you guys would find it interesting:

Caption: "In 1908 Samuel J. Reader aims and fires his “free-state rifle,” which he used during the 1856 Battle of Hickory Point. His weapon is a full-stock Pennsylvania rifle."

A much larger view of the image is at the beginning of this article from Kansas History Journal about guns in the Kansas Territory:
https://www.kshs.org/publicat/history/1998spring_watts.pdf

Here is a much younger Reader the year before the battle:
I am the Lead Historian and a Firearms Specialist at Rock Island Auction Co., but I am here out of my own personal interests in muzzle loading and history.
*All opinions expressed are mine alone and are NOT meant to represent those of any other entity unless otherwise expressly stated.*

greybeard

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Re: Samuel J. Reader's Free-State Rifle Used at the Battle of Hickory Point
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2018, 11:03:26 PM »
Hello cousin !! Nice to  meet you.
    Bob Reader.



Offline Ky-Flinter

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Re: Samuel J. Reader's Free-State Rifle Used at the Battle of Hickory Point
« Reply #2 on: November 23, 2018, 04:40:59 PM »
In the larger image of Reader and his rifle, the barrel appears to be twisted in a spiral pattern.  Can that be?

-Ron
« Last Edit: November 23, 2018, 07:25:23 PM by Ky-Flinter »
Ron Winfield

Life is too short to hunt with an ugly gun. -Nate McKenzie

Offline Cades Cove Fiddler

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Re: Samuel J. Reader's Free-State Rifle Used at the Battle of Hickory Point
« Reply #3 on: November 23, 2018, 06:44:08 PM »
 :o :o... Ron,... I clicked on the link and see what you mean,.... if so that would be the most unique one yet,... !!!

Offline Craig Wilcox

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Re: Samuel J. Reader's Free-State Rifle Used at the Battle of Hickory Point
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2018, 08:24:35 PM »
R. Historian, that is a much-appreciated post.  As a former resident of Oklahoma, I had been aware of a bit of this, but that detailed piece was a darn good read!
My Granddad was born in Indian Territory, a wee bit north of Quinton.  His parents had moved from Arkansas to Oklahoma in the 1870's, and Granddad had one of the percussion long rifles his father used.  One of my cousins nabbed it when Granddad died, stuck it in the back of his pickup.  Two years later, I saw a rusted barrel and action, most of the wood was gone.  My cousin died shortly thereafter.

Again, really appreciate the post.  Love studying history, but terrible at research.  Became a biologist instead, but still learn about our past when I can.
Craig Wilcox
We are all elated when Dame Fortune smiles at us, but remember that she is always closely followed by her daughter, Miss Fortune.

Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

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Re: Samuel J. Reader's Free-State Rifle Used at the Battle of Hickory Point
« Reply #5 on: November 23, 2018, 10:14:20 PM »
The 'twisted' barrel is likely a distortion caused by the enlarging technique and pixilation.  The rifle appears to have about a 36" barrel or fairly small bore and is percussion ignition which is no surprise.
What interests me is the right hand horn carry and belt bag on the left.
D. Taylor Sapergia
www.sapergia.blogspot.com

Art is not an object.  It is the excitement inspired by the object.

Offline Arnie Dowd

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Re: Samuel J. Reader's Free-State Rifle Used at the Battle of Hickory Point
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2018, 06:28:35 AM »
Many Thanks for a most interesting article and photo of Mr. Reader and his "Kentucky type rifle.  I especially like the period references to "Bowie-knives".   Likewise, the powder horn is quite interesting as its large size and shape could indicate that it was much earlier than the 1850's and more like one carried by a Longhunter.  Most everyone is familiar with the 1863 Raid on Lawrence, KS by Quantrills's Partisan Rangers;  however if you are interested in this subject -  study up on the two raids on Humboldt, KS.  which are seldom mentioned but are another example of the total disregard for life or property during this period in "Bleeding Kansas".   Humboldt was a small "free-state" town and a stop on the "Underground RR".  On Sept. 8th, 1861 Humboldt was raided by a troop of Confederate pro-slavery Guerrillas including Osage and Cherokee Indians who captured and took back to Missouri 10 or 12 run-away slaves.  To further punish the town -  on Oct 14th, 1861 a Confederate troop led by Capt's Matthew's and Livingston burned the town of Humboldt  to the ground.
Thanks Again, Arnie Dowd