Saturday, April 24th, 2010
I rec’d the melancholy news in the morning that General Gage’s troops had fired on our countrymen at Concord yesterday and had killed a large number of them. - Matthew Patten, April 20th, 1775
On the last Saturday of April, 2010, Historical Shooting Inc. will host a shoot that will showcase the weapons and technolongy of 1775 in our
Spring 2010 Flintlock Muster
Participants in this unique event will learn about, handle, drill with and fire flintlock muskets of the type used in the opening days of the American Revolution.
The event begins at noon, when we will hold a "Town Meeting" at which we will hear the news about the British march on Concord on April 19th. At the meeting, we must decide what to do. Should we call up the militia and send them to help our brethren to the south? Should we do nothing and wait for more news? What about our spring planting? If we go off to the war in another colony, who will take care of our farms? Is sending the militia out against uniformed British troops an act of treason?
After the meeting, we will call up the militia for inspection, drill, and target practice. Participants will be formed into companies of 5 men each, with an NCO in charge of each company. The NCO will inspect their arms and equipment, teach them to drill, then march them off to the range for live fire practice.
Participants are welcome to bring their own musket, cartridge boxes, tomahawks etc provided that they are reasonably accurate representations of 1775 period gear. Smoothbored flintlock muskets only please. This event is to simulate New Hampshire in 1775, caplocks were not yet invented and there is no evidence that there were any rifled guns here at that time.
If you bring your own musket, you MUST bring your ammunition in the form of pre-rolled paper cartridges containing the powder charge and ball. Feel free to contact us if you need assistance in doing this.
Participants who wish to use Historical Shooting Inc's guns and equipment that we will make available for use are welcome to do so. We will provide muskets, cartridge boxes and ammunition. Participants will receive instructions as needed, so do not be afraid to come out and join us because you have never fired a flintlock before!
Full or partial period dress is encouraged, but not required.
There is no entry fee if you bring your own musket and ammunition. If we provide the ammunition, there is a $10 fee.
This is a family-friendly event. Alcohol and guns do not mix.
Limited primitive camping space is available.
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