Weapons of John Brown?

[Gary of CA]

Does anybody know where I can find a listing of weapons carried by John Brown and his men at Harper's Ferry? Specifically, I'd like to see a breakdown of type and if possible models (if military or commerically available civilian guns).

[Wounded_Zouave]

Re: Weapons of John Brown?

If anyone would have such a list it would be the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park: Link

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Re: Weapons of John Brown?

While I was doing my John Brown reactions research I found a few places which had weapons associated with the raid.

Pikes at Kansas Historical Society: http://www.kshs.org/cool3/pike.htm

Smithsonian Pike: http://www.civilwar.si.edu/slavery_brown8.html

Smithsonian Sharps Carbine: http://www.civilwar.si.edu/slavery_brown7.html

[Dignann]

Re: Weapons of John Brown?

A previous thread - Pikes - might provide some info.

Eric

[AzTrooper]

Re: Weapons of John Brown?

Howdy,
If Im not mistaking, there is a Sharps carbine on display under glass at Harpers Ferry NP that was owned and carried by John Brown himself, if I remember correctly, it was one of the slant breech models.It has been a couple of years since I was there last so I might be remembering things wrong.
Respectfully,
John Rogers

Does anybody know where I can find a listing of weapons carried by John Brown and his men at Harper's Ferry? Specifically, I'd like to see a breakdown of type and if possible models (if military or commerically available civilian guns).

[Johan Steele]

Re: Weapons of John Brown?

Sharps Model 1853 & a couple M1855 Carbines that were reissued to the 1st Dragoons. There were about 200 that ended up in John Browns hands. 102 of the M1853's were captured by Colonel Lee when he stormed the Arsenal at Harpers Ferry.

Some may have been captured and subsequently reissued to CS forces but it is thought most if not all were reissued to the 1st Dragoons.

I've been told that there exists a S/N listing of those arms but don't know where that would be. Harpers Ferry NPS doesn't have it.


United States Military Small Arms 1816-1865 by Reilly has some of the data. As does Civil War Sharps Carbines & Rifles by Coates & McAulay