Robert Rogers portrait

[kswan]

I've take an interest in Rogers Rangers. So, I was wondering what gun he might have been carrying in this painting.

Thanks
Kelvin

[MuskratMike]

If you are interested in Robert Rogers don't miss out on the book "War on the Run" if you haven't already read it.

[smart dog]

Hi,
Probably a Brown Bess musket.  It may have the barrel shortened but that is not clearly documented.  I don't believe there are any images of Rogers that were made from life and are historically accurate.

dave

[Seth Isaacson]

If you are interested in Robert Rogers don't miss out on the book "War on the Run" if you haven't already read it.

100% agreed. That book is an excellent read.

[kswan]

If you are interested in Robert Rogers don't miss out on the book "War on the Run" if you haven't already read it.

100% agreed. That book is an excellent read.

Yes, certainly a re read.

[Mike Brooks]

Looks like a civilian fowling gun. especially with that nice indian made bag and horn.

[Cossack]

Like Smart Dog, I’ve read that there are no reliable portraits of Rogers, even though the Thomas hart portrait you show was made during his lifetime (it’s dated 1776). It’s possible that he stood for it, but who knows regardless, I suspect that his gun in the portrait is the artist’s  generic rendition of a gun rather than an accurate depiction of Rogers’ actual equipment.

I suspect that he most likely would have had a Brown Bess or some sort of officer’s fusil. I’ve also read that sometimes the rangers used French fusils and I wouldn’t doubt that some had civilian fowlers. They may have had a few rifles, but I doubt Rogers himself would have carried one on campaign.

I echo the praise for War on the Run and also recommend White Devil, which is shorter and focuses more specifically on the St. Francis raid.

[smart dog]

Hi,
I don't believe that portrait was done first hand.  Major Rogers was feted in written accounts and broad sheets at the time, particularly after the St Francis raid.  Ironically, he thought the raid a failure because he lost so many men but the English public treated him as a hero.  The documentation is confusing and I think we have to recognize that ranger units were not armed uniformly.  Moreover, they were not universally supported by the British Army.  Some commanders thought them undisciplined, expensive, and not worth the effort or expense.  Others valued them highly.  What records exist suggest they may have carried pattern 1730/40 and pattern 1742 long land muskets, full length or with older ones shortened.  Some records suggest units might be issued the mysterious "carbine" often linked to Highland units.  There are references to some rangers having rifles and others using captured French muskets that were prized as light and handy. I think a reenactor can take quite a few liberties and disregard anyone saying it was "just so".

dave 

[thecapgunkid]

There have been some questions as to whether or not that is even Rogers.  In all the years I searched out documents on Rogers and the Rangers, I never found out if that was true.

Just another reason to wish that cameras had been invented earlier.

[Levy]

When artists back then were depicting firearms, most of them get the brown stick award.  James Levy

[rich pierce]

Rogers didn’t stand still much unless he had a lot of rum in him. Even then he was a lively sort. I expect they quickly sketched his face then had a model dress up like they thought he should.

[iloco]

In the Kentucky Rifle Hunting Pouch book by Madison Grant there is a picture of Rogers Pouch and Horn along with a 20 ga fowling gun.

[RAT]

A better portrait of a ranger was "The Death of General Wolf" by Benjamin West. Some think it was Rogers himself that was used as a model, but that's just speculation. He also painted a portrait of Guy Johnson, who was Sir William Johnson's nephew. The title of the painting is "Colonel Guy Johnson and Karonghyontye".

West's painting are very good... right down to the faded scarlet on one of the soldiers in "The Death of General Wolf". For trade gun fans, check out the painted stock on the NW gun the native warrior has.

He was very detailed at accurately painting firearms... not just in these 2 paintings.

Many of the objects he used as models in his studio have been passed down to us today. They were featured in an article in the Winter 1991 issue of American Indian Art Magazine.

[Steve_Rose]

In the Kentucky Rifle Hunting Pouch book by Madison Grant there is a picture of Rogers Pouch and Horn along with a 20 ga fowling gun.

Grant mentions that this bag is “close counterpart” to the bag worn by Rogers (and I assume he is referring to “worn” in the portrait)

[Cossack]

I've wondered in the past if many of the later portraits of Rogers, such as the one we've been discussing, were based off of West's Ranger in "The Death of Wolfe."

And I agree,

When artists back then were depicting firearms, most of them get the brown stick award.  James Levy

Agreed.

[kswan]

A lot of great information folks, thanks. With that, I ordered a Jim Chambers English Fowler/ officer Fusil.

[Cossack]

A lot of great information folks, thanks. With that, I ordered a Jim Chambers English Fowler/ officer Fusil.

That seems like a good fit for a Ranger officer and should be a great, useful gun to boot.