Help with info. on my ancestors gun.

[kywarrix01]

Hey everybody,

The information that I have is, when my ancestor (5x Great Grandfather) left to join the war [at his nearest recruiting site]. That he left in the evening with the clothes on is back, some bread, a wool horse blanket and his hunting gun.

I'm from KY, and my ancestor and our family have lived in eastern KY long before he took up arms. With that stated I have a question; what kind of gun would he have taken when he left?

I've heard tells from local reenactors that it could have been a pre war era gun, or squirrel rifle that he had had. I'm not such what to believe.

Also, what types of guns would have been available for this area (eastern KY, Appalachian foothills)?

[MuleyGil]

Re: Help with info. on my ancestors gun.

Welcome to the forum.

That's a tough question to answer. It could have been a Kentucky rifle, either percussion or flint. It could have been Mexican War surplus- a flint musket, an 1842 .69, a Mississippi rifle, or.......? Something left over from the War of 1812? Could have been a shotgun too.

Another thing to remember is that he may or may NOT have left with his hunting gun. Family legend has it that my great, great granddaddy suffered a wound to the stomach during the War. A check of the records showed that he suffered from "debilitis" aka diarrhea.

Oh, you need to sign your real name to your posts. That's one of our rules here.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Help with info. on my ancestors gun.

The US government and the state of Kentucky kept excelent records on what it issued its troops. I would start from there. The "squirrel gun" and loaf of bread probably lasted lthe week or so before the Federal government to supply his needs.