Page 174 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

172 RIFLEMEN OF THE

ONET 1680–1815 AMERICAN REVOLUTION ▲ PENNSYLVANIA RIFLE The flintlock weapon carried

Pan cover
At the start of the American Revolutionary War in 1775,
skilled riflemen were among the first companies of soldiers raised
by the rebellious North American colonies to fight the British
Army and its Loyalist supporters. These riflemen had their origins

the celebrated Kentucky rifle of later
on their skill with a long-barreled rifle to carve out a life in the
Origin US
American frontiersmen. In well-trained
wild. Some riflemen were incorporated into units of General
Weight 8 ⁄4lb (3.8kg)
hands, it had an accuracy of up to
Y in the American frontier world of hunters and farmers, and relied Date 1760 1 by the riflemen was an ancestor of
George Washington’s army, but others retained their independent
1,200ft (365m). The long, rifled barrel
3
Barrel 3 ⁄4ft (1.14m)
AND BA themselves effective snipers and skirmishers. Calibre .45 muskets used by European armies.
made it far more accurate than the
spirit along with their own equipment and clothing. They proved
Undershirt
FLINTLOCK
Ax blade

◀ HATCHET
Date c.1775
Origin US
Weight 24oz (680g)
Length 14in (35.5cm)
A skilled hunter and woodsman,
the rifleman usually carried
a hatchet—tucked into his
belt—for constructing shelters
and making fires.

▶ GUN POUCH
Date c.1775
Origin US
Material Leather
Riflemen carried a leather
gun pouch slung over the
shoulder. The pouch contained
only the essentials for their rifle,
while a linen knapsack held
personal items.

Butcher knife

▲ FLINT POUCH ▲ HUNTING SHIRT
Date c.1775 Date c.1775
Origin US Origin US
Material Leather Material Linen
Using tow (hemp or flax fibers) Many riflemen favoured a
to catch sparks struck from his fringed linen shirt worn with
flint and steel, a rifleman could a belt fastened around the waist.
light a fire. He often also carried The shirts were often dyed in
a pouch of dry kindling. natural shades of brown or green
for camouflage.