10 historically significant pieces?

[anotherKevin]

I'm interested in others opinions on what a list of 10 historically significant "pre-cartridge" firearms would consist of. For me, as an ex-Brit, I think blunderbuss and flintlock would have to be in there, but I also believe a "Kentucky rifle" would need to be in included.

If you were to either pull 10 pieces from your collection, or purchase 10 items (assuming replicas are perfectly fine), what would you show, and would there be a historical thread that tied them together?

 

[BigG]

That is an interesting question; you might want to get a representative collection -

in addition to Blunderbuss and Flintlock and Kentucky Rifle

Matchlock

Wheellock

How about a British Brown Bess flintlock?

Colt percussion Revolver

 

[Joe Gunns]

My interest being AmHist, my list of flint and percussions would include, a Bess, a Pennsylvania, a set of "dueling" pistols (counts as one), a Hawkin, -all in flint; A "Trade" musket, a "Philadelphia" derringer, Colt Patterson, Walker, '58 navy, '60 army, '58 remington, Enfield or "Harper's Ferry" type rifle. To cut to ten I guess I would cut out the Lincoln-killer and the Indian trade musket.

If I was going for type collection I would want a matchlock, a wheel-lock, a snaphance (sp?), the Bess, the Pennsy, the Hawkin, the enfield, a Pennsy pistol, the Walker, and the '58 remington.

If I could have 10 longarms and 10 handguns the list would be easier to make!

 

[hildo]

The M1777 fusil (French flintlock .69 musket). Beautyfull gun with lot's of history.
Used in the Napoleontic wars (including Waterloo) and even used in the latter part of the American independance war. The American 1895 Springfield is basicly an identical copy of the M1777 fusil. The last ones were made right before WW11(!), serving as colonial flintlockers for native troops.
It's stand right up there in history with Brown Bess, and looks better doing it with it's 3 very nice barrel bands.
The name M1777 just does not sound as catching as Brown Bess. That's why I call mine Betty.
Oh, beauty! We will go to the range once more, soon. Right after I hardened your frizzen. Promised!

 

[DrLaw]

Top ten, two categories

Rifle/Musket

1. Matchlock

2. Brown Bess

3. Charleville

4. 'Kentucky or Pennsylvania' Rifle

5. 1861 Springfield


Pistols

1. Wheellock

2. Tower style Flintlock (martial)

3. Colt Patterson

4. Smith & Wesson Model 1

5. Colt SAA

The Doc is out now.

 

[arcticap]

Handgonne

1st European handgonne replica from the early 14th century:
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/1945/Guns/Hgonne2.htm

.75 Hussite Hakenbüchse:
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/1945/Guns/Hgonne3.htm

.69 Hussite Hackbutt:
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/1945/Guns/Hackbut.htm