Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Musket |
Catalog Number |
1939.224 |
Date |
ca. 1780 |
Material(s) |
Wood/Iron/Brass |
Dimensions |
H-9 W-62 D-3.5 inches |
Description |
This Brown Bess Musket has a wooden stock that extends for over three quarters of the length of the rounded barrel. The piece has a brass nose cap, four brass ramrod pipes and an iron rammer with a flared end. The piece has a flintlock locking mechanism with a single trigger. The trigger guard is made of brass and there is a brass butt plate. A triangle with a line going through it is carved into the wood of the butt stock. The lock plate is marked "TOWER" behind the hammer and has a large crown over "GR" ahead of the hammer along with a "broad arrow" stamp. The left rear of the barrel is marked "IW" along with two British proofs. There is a long teardrop-shaped brass plate is inset into the top of the stock's wrist with a large hand carved "WM" in the center. There is a brass plate on the left side of the stock that bears the provenance of the musket: "Isaac Shelby first Governor of Kentucky captured this gun at the Battle of King's Mountain North Carolina October 7th 1780. Governor Shelby presented it to Harry Innes, first United States Judge of Kentucky, who gave it to his son-in-law, John Morris. From him it went to his son William Morris, whose heirs lend it to the Kentucky Historical Society, one hundred and forty-eight years after its capture, October 7th 1928." |
Notes |
This gun was captured by Isaac Shelby, the first governor of Kentucky, at the battle of King's Mountain, South Carolina, October 7th, 1780. Shelby presented it to Harry Innes, the first United States Judge of Kentucky, who gave it to his son-in-law John Morris. From John Morris it went to his son William Morris. |
Collection |
William Morris Collection |
Event |
American Revolution |
People |
Shelby, Isaac, 1750-1826 Innes, Harry, 1752-1816 Morris, John Morris, William |
Subjects |
Arms & armament Firearms Rifles |
Search Terms |
Weapons Arms & armament Revolutionary War American Revolution South Carolina |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |