Period correct rifle bag/case

[trimegistus]

Does anyone have any photos or info on what a period correct rifle case would be for an early Lancaster flintlock?

[pulaski]

I think this might be as hard to find as an 18th century hunting license .
Don't believe there was a need for either one of these items .
JM.02
Steve

[Luke MacGillie]

Yes the gun cases did exist, there are a couple of period images showing them and some written refrences to them.  I do not have any of the images with me on deployment so cant help you there, but do have this refrence:

At a Court held for Augusta County February the 17th 1778
This appraisement of the Estate of David Hastens deced being returned is Ordered to be Recorded.
Test

An Inventory of the goods and chattles of
David Hastens deceased

1 Hunting Shirt
1 P Shoes
1 P Leather Britches
1 Shott pouch and Powder Horn
1 Hoppis
1 Cuttoe knife
1 Wiper Top
1 P Bullett Moles
1 Cuttoe Knife ____
1 P Buckles
1 Gun Case
1 Hatt

The above goods and chattles were sold on the expedition against the Cherokees to the following Persons before Appraised

Capt. John Gilmore 1 Gun Case
Robert McClure 1 P Moles and Wiper Top
Valentine Jones 1 Hatt
Capt. Wm. Christian 1 shot bag and powder horn for Thos. Berry
Gawin Hamilton 1 Hoppis
Samuel McGill 1 Cuttoe Knife
Samuel Henderson 1 P Shoes & Buckles
William Ritchey 1 Garter
Jas. McGloughlin 1 P Garters
Jas. Cuddy 1 Hunting Shirt and Leather Britches
Jos. Guinn 1 Knife
At a Court held for Augusta County February the 17th 1778

This sale of the Estate of David Hastens deceased being returned is ordered to be Recorded. (Signature?)

[Dphariss]

Does anyone have any photos or info on what a period correct rifle case would be for an early Lancaster flintlock?

There is a leather case with fringe and quillwork with the Dickert Rifle in "Moravian Gunmaking of the American Revolution".

Dan

[trimegistus]

Thanks all for the info! Dan, I am still building my library up, ill toss that one on the list too.

[Dphariss]

I think this might be as hard to find as an 18th century hunting license .
Don't believe there was a need for either one of these items .
JM.02
Steve

You need to do more research.
All the 1780s indian trade rifles came with covers, probably canvas, or maybe wool.
If you want your flintlock to actually work in the wet and snow a cover back to at least the wrist is a really good idea.

Dan

[rich pierce]

I find canvas is rough on finishes and wool is not.

[trimegistus]

Good tip Rich

[pulaski]

My bad . I've hunted in the northern WI. woods through the rain and snow and never carried a cover for the rifle . I did carry the rifle under my hunting shirt , tucked in from the bottom of the shirt .
I do have a wool gun case to transport it in the truck but was never sure this was PC .
Thanks for the info .
Steve

[Peashooterjoe]

I can't find my resource that Hudson bay ship their trade rifles with red wool covers.  Someone else may chip in, if it jogs a memory. Seems like it was on an invoice, memory not as reliable as it once was. PeashooterJoe

[Scout]

I just made one from a CW grey wool blanket with a few holes patched with leather ties. Looks kind of "period" although I didn't really have anything to go off of. I figured if I lived back in that time I would have sewn one up like the one I did now. My sewing isn't great but thats what makes it special to me. I also made an elk horn starter and powder measure that is very nice and very "period".

[Pvt. Lon Grifle]

I've seen old pictures of Canadian Indians in the 1920s with their 94 winchester's buttstock sticking out of wool, decorated, gun sleeves, that they carried them in while hunting.   Probably a good thing to carry forward from flint days.  Lon

[Dphariss]

I find canvas is rough on finishes and wool is not.

I always use leather or wool.
Wool is a pretty good case even in the wet. I like to shrink and tighten the fabric before making a case.

Dan

[KennyC]

All my guns have wool blanket cases. They are hand sewn (don' know how to use a machine) They work real good.