Welcome to as we speak’s Picture of the Day! The Ferguson rifle, patented in 1776, was a groundbreaking breech-loading design that would have modified the course of warfare. Created by Main Patrick Ferguson, this .615 caliber rifle featured an revolutionary vertical screw breech system operated by decreasing the set off guard, permitting for an unprecedented 6-10 rounds per minute. To show its capabilities, Ferguson demonstrated firing six correct photographs per minute at 200 yards from a stationary place, and 4 whereas marching. The rifle may even operate reliably when the barrel was deliberately wetted. Regardless of this spectacular efficiency, solely about 100 Ordnance rifles had been manufactured by 4 British gunmakers, led by Durs Egg. Although used successfully on the Battle of Brandywine in 1777, the weapon’s wider adoption was hindered by its complexity and price – 4 gunsmiths may solely produce 100 rifles in six months at 4 occasions the price of a regular musket. The rifles additionally suffered from structural weaknesses across the lock mortise, requiring iron reinforcement. After Ferguson was wounded at Brandywine, his experimental unit was disbanded and the rifles had been changed with normal muskets.
“Modern for its time, the Ferguson rifle is taken into account by many to be the king of early breechloading rifles, and probably the most fascinating, bar none. Initially invented by Captain Patrick Ferguson with intent for army use in 1774 and granted 1776 dated British patent quantity 1139. To function, the knob protruding off the rear of the set off guard is turned one rotation clockwise, which opens up the highest of the breech finish of the barrel, permitting entry for loading of powder and ball; throughout a time when loading from the muzzle finish with a rammer on a smoothbore musket was commonplace. In a fight situation, the benefits of this technique embody the flexibility to reload drastically faster, and likewise the flexibility to reload from the susceptible place with a view to hold oneself from being uncovered to the enemy, a feat close to unimaginable with a muzzle-loading musket. “
Lot 1285: Ferguson Patent Breechloading Flintlock Rifle by J. Hunt – Terribly Uncommon Late 18th Century Ferguson Patent Breechloading Flintlock Rifle by London Gunmaker Joseph Hunt. (n.d.-c). Rock Island Public sale Firm. {photograph}. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/element/82/1285/ferguson-patent-breechloading-flintlock-rifle-by-j-hunt.
