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Post by Robert Braun on Sept 19, 2003 10:08:09 GMT -5
Records indicate that Illinois’ Quartermaster General, Henry Eddy, issued muskets to several state militia companies complete with bayonets, ramrods, wipers, ball screws, and screw drivers. Presumably, these "muskets" were overage U. S. Muskets, since they mount bayonets.
I pretty much have a handle on these appendages.. all except the last item.
Any thought as to what the "screw drivers" would have looked like? Would it be similar to the screwdrivers then in use in the Regular Infantry? And what might those look like?
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Post by Greg Carter on Dec 9, 2003 2:42:36 GMT -5
Bob,
As you know more about 1812 and the Revolution that I do, my question here is this- we know that the French musket was the source for what became the P. 1795 Musket in this country. Did the French have a standardized tool for their guns or not? I am familiar with the "Pickering Tool" and the tri-ended tool from the British. Are there any other ideas?
I was perusing Whitney and found several references to appendages, but no practical descriptions.
GMC
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Post by Robert Braun on Dec 9, 2003 10:44:33 GMT -5
Mr. Greg... if the long thread of "no response" to my initial query is any indication, I suspect that our current BHW board contributors either a.) do not know, or b.) do know but for whatever reason have chosen not to respond.
So... I will offer an educated guess.
The evolution of American accouterment appears to be a blend of both French and British practice, with a bit of the practical thrown in for good measure. I have heard the Archaeological evidence at War of 1812 sites has turned up two main stles of appendage: British style three bit tools and simple turnscrews or "screwdivers" of varying sizes and features. I suspect that the 1832 appendange was probably a simple screwdriver.
The conventional wisdom regarding Pickering's musket tool was that none were produced, primarily because none have ever been located or unearthed. The tool was part of a recommendation from Timothy Pickering in An Easy Plan of Discipline for a Militia (1770). (Pickering later went on to become Washington's Quartermaster General.)
In my opinion, the Pickering tool should not be represented in any 1832 militia presentations.
Bob.
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Post by Greg Carter on Dec 10, 2003 2:08:14 GMT -5
Bob,
I suspect you are right about the simple screwdriver. I have been combing through Whitney's books and I have noticed repeated listing of screw drivers, but nothing like "tools" or anything that would indicate a multi-purpose item such as a three-bit or something similar.
GMC
P.S.- Thanks for the note on the Pickering tool. I now officially know more about the Revolutionary War experience than I did yesterday! ;D
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Post by Robert Braun on Dec 10, 2003 8:56:01 GMT -5
Yes... the "tool" itself was represented by Pickering in his 1770 An Easy Plan... as a line drawing with description. Apparently, no evidence has come to light to assert its actual fabrication -- let alone use-- before, during, or after the Revolutionary War. Nevertheless, several Rev. War reenacting suppliers cannot hold back in offering what was and is a pretty neat tool. This offering makes it overwhealmingly tempting to Colonial reenactors... and I have seen a few in use during my years spent in the NWTA. I even saw one at Lincoln's New Salem last year!  Unfortunately, the "Pickering tool" needs to go the way of the so-called "corn boiler"--- it was a piece of imaginative invention for which there is no physical or written evidence of fabrication or use. Likewise, the terms "worm," "black powder" and "A-frame" need to be purged from the lexicon of historical portrayal. The correct terms are "wiper," "gunpowder" and "common tent." (OK... this is off the subject, but you catch my meaning!  ) Bob. |
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Post by Greg Carter on Dec 10, 2003 13:26:40 GMT -5
So with that thought we are back to square one.
If the historic use of the word "tool" specifically applies to musket implements that are by design multi-functional, then I would be inclined to suspect that the descriptions of "screw drivers" means just that, so...
Are there any extant examples of original screwdrivers used by military personnel during the time period, or civilians for that matter, as would have been available?
I wish we could get a response from Steve Osman or Steve Abolt on this.
GMC
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Post by Greg Carter on Jan 30, 2004 23:36:54 GMT -5
Mr. McKee resolved to make the attempt at all hazards, and, accordingly, in company with James McMurtry and Fantelroy Freeman, set out for Rock Island. After a long and weary journey through a wild, uninhabited country, they reached the fort, where, without delay or trouble, they secured 100 guns with accoutrements.
***
The following receipt was signed by those who received arms, and included rifles, flasks, bullet-molds, screw-driver, wiper, spring-vice, powder, lead, rifle-flint. The dates of receipts range from April 21 to June 3, almost all of them, however, being distributed on the former date.
CHAS CHAPMAN & CO History of Knox County, Illinois
Chicago: Blakely, Brown & Marsh, Printers
1878
P.151
P.S.- This is my 330th posting!
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