Existing comment:
The sign says: Ferguson Rifle.
In 1776, Captain Ferguson demonstrated and patented a breechloading "rifle gun of a new construction" and British Ordnance ordered 100 of them to arm a temporary "Corps of Riflemen" under Ferguson's command for service in North America. Ferguson's Rifle Corps arrived in time to participate in the 1777 Philadelphia Campaign; the unit came under heavy fire during the battle of Brandywine on September 11th, where Ferguson was seriously wounded. The corps was then disbanded and the men (apparently with their rifles) were incorporated into British light infantry units, where they still performed marksmen duties. Although accurate, quick-loaded and provided with a bayonet, the rifle was not completely successful as it had an inherent weakness in the stock between the lock and trigger. The resulting crack and subsequent repair can be seen in this specimen, which bears the serial number "2" and Ferguson's own inspection mark signifying it as one of the original 100 military rifles produced.
[Ferguson was later killed at the battle of Kings Mountain.] |