Ruth's Blog

I was asked to choose an item in the museum that interested me, and I chose this musket. This weapon is a percussion-cap, muzzle loading musket dating back to around 1760. It was loaded using a metal tipped mahogany ram rod, with the metal tip being used to avoid the wooden rod catching fire. Powder was placed in the chamber of the musket and the ramrod was used to push a pellet, usually made of lead and wrapped in cloth, down the barrel.

Later on, the barrel was cut down and the musket was converted into an English flintlock fowling piece. This piece, specifically, is interesting as it is part of the English military industry and is a result of innovation in weaponry. Louth had several gunsmiths, so it does not come as a surprise that the musket ended up finding its way here. Many merchants and travellers felt it was necessary to carry a weapon on their person at all times.