Flintlock battalion

[StonewallSharpeson]

We all know how percussion-conversion weapons and even flintlocks are underrepresented in the hobby. So how about we try to get a group of guys together who could portray such units? That's why I'd like to propose that we collectively network to establish a battalion, or at least a company, of guys who could consistently show up to, at least, big events and use flintlocks and/or conversions and maybe even Scott's MOA which I believe was popular among many militia units which would have been armed with such weapons.

I think this has been brought up before, in the context of the 150ths, but I'd like to bring it up a a consistent thing. I know a lot of guys who would love to come out with their flintlocks and percussion conversions, but generally do not find an atmosphere conducive to such. This unit wouldn't have to be an official reenacting unit, but just a haven for units and individuals who want to portray such an impression.

And the reason why I'm posting about it is because I'd love to see this happen, but I'm just a lowly private with few connections or wherewithal.

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Flintlock battalion

And the reason why I'm posting about it is because I'd love to see this happen, but I'm just a lowly private with few connections or wherewithal.

Mr. Thomas,
Welcome to The Authentic-Campaigner… I would like to think that the authentic community is more of a meritocracy than the mainstream. If you have an idea for a living history scenario, then I would encourage you to try to make it happen. There are plenty of folks here who have organized living histories and other events who can give you information to get you going.

Go for it!

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Flintlock battalion

Wickett is right. It all depends on the event and scenario portrayed. The very early war events where flintlocks were more common will be cycling around again starting next Summer. Flintlocks were still in the Confederate ranks in the Trans-Mississippi and the trenches outside of Atlanta as late as 1864 but in very small numbers. By late 1862, they were a thing almost unknown in the Union Army...out of the thousands of US arms captured at Fredericksburg, 13 were flintlocks. And those may have been swapped out.

There is some research on the use of flintlocks during the Civil War in The Civil War Musket. If you are interested in the sources for these observations, see the footnotes.

Now percussion smoothbore muskets and percussion conversions are another matter entirely. Those were found in abundance throughout the conflict on the CS side where they were still in use at the time of the surrender at Appomattox. They were not entirely unknown in the Union ranks either. There is a chapter in The CWM on their usage as well, called The Universal Yankee Killer. I can't imagine any living history event turning you away for bringing a percussion conversion or other smoothbore musket. A great many event scenarios support their usage.

[StonewallSharpeson]

Re: Flintlock battalion

Mr. Thoms,
Welcome to The Authentic-Campaigner… I would like to think that the authentic community is more of a meritocracy than the mainstream. If you have an idea for a living history scenario, then I would encourage you to try to make it happen. There are plenty of folks here who have organized living histories and other events who can give you information to get you going.

Go for it!

It's not so much as I was thinking of a seperate event so much as I was thinking a group that would consistently portray a unit or units armed with flintlocks at, say, 1st Manassas.
I've been doing research into units armed with flintlocks at different battles [thanks for the reference, Craig Barry]. I believe one of the battalions of the Stonewall Brigade had flintlocks as well as several others.

Also, I've added a chart made by the Ordnance department of the weapons in US arsenals c. 1859. It provides a good idea of what weapons would be available to who at the onset of the War. It is not too specific, as I guess the ordnance department made little distinction between the various flintlock muskets that have been manufactured since 1812, and their later percussion conversions. Also, keep in mine that "rifles" in the context of the 1850s were what many of us call "two-banders".

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Flintlock battalion

It's not so much as I was thinking of a seperate event so much as I was thinking a group that would consistently portray a unit or units armed with flintlocks at, say, 1st Manassas.

That is up to you. However, you would find it somewhat limiting, I would think. The applicability of an entire battalion armed with flintlocks would, I think, drastically narrow the choice of events you could attend.

Rather, I would recommend building an event (perhaps an NPS living history). The natural outcome of that effort will be that you have drawn together guys who own and/or are interested in using flintlocks in their impression. Perhaps what starts as a "one-off" living history could become a recurring program for a battlefield park. Perhaps that group would find other appropriate scenarios.

... you have to start somewhere!