Object Record
| Catalog Number | 2003.317.1 |
| Object Name | Rifle |
| Description |
Spanish smooth bore Percussion Rifle-style firearm, bought during the 2003 shootout. The metal components of the gun are highly decorated. Trigger guard has a floral printed design on the bottom and an overall curving form to it. The barrel has ornate gilded decorations including the name "DeHerradura" located on the top of the barrel. There is a shell shaped patchbox (5cm x 4.4cm) located on the proper right side of the butt stock. The head of the hammer/cock is decorated with the head of an animal. According to Butch Wilson, Clewiston Museum Director, this is a breech loading rifle, which appears to be missing a single brass band that attached the barrel to the stock. He researched antique rifles and muskets and noted that the shorter, "single band" rifle appeared in the 1850s or 1860s and was generally identified as a carbine. The trigger guard is very ornamental in its design, which was more characteristic of antique European muskets and rifles, including Spanish guns. However, all American made muskets and rifles he reviewed failed to have the long curving and looped trigger guard. The exhibit label for Tools of War (2011) reads: The Escopeta, a Spanish smooth bore percussion rifle, was a popular weapon of the 18th century. This rifle is missing a single brass band that attached the barrel to the stock. The shorter single band rifle appeared in the 1850's or 1860's and was generally identified as a carbine. This rifle is made with a Miquelet lock. The Miquelet was developed in Spain and quickly became popular and spread throughout the Mediterranean area and east to Italy. Only scant evidence points to the use of the Miquelet system in the Eastern United States. However, the system was quite widespread throughout other Spanish settlements in Florida and the Southwest. This weapon is finely ornamented in its design with engraving on the trigger guard and gold inlay on the barrel. |
| Dimensions | H-2.5 W-5 L-51 inches |
| Collection | Militaria |
| Imagefile | 008\2003-317-1.JPG |