At 04:21 PM 12/29/2003 -0500, you wrote: >Would anyone be able to tell me what type of firearm might be typically >found on an upstate NY family farm around 1800 - 1810? I'm assuming most >such farming households would have included some sort of guns. At that time all weapons still had to be manufactured one piece at a time, and although there were many varieties of weapons available, they general types would probably be the standard smooth-bore muzzle loading musket and the single shot muzzle loading pistol, both flint locks. They would be loaded with single round lead balls, and each weapon pretty much needed is own matching mold for making balls. Or, a variety of smaller lead shot could be used for hunting fowl and small game, although I have heard tales of ground glass, gravel, salt, and other small bit being loaded more for affect and pain than massive damage and death. There was a large industry that supported the use of firearms, with powder makers, shot towers, machinists, stock carvers, borers, and a dozen other specialists needed just to make the gun and keep it supplied. It wasn't until the eve of the American Civil War that the centuries old technology began to change to shaped projectiles, contained cartridges, percussion caps, and mass produced arms. The type of weapon carried by a given person would be very much dependent upon the purpose for which they carry it. Many hunted with the old flintlocks of their or their father's Revolutionary War days, and since many were involved with local militias at the time of the embargo (1808) or were worried about Indian attacks (or other marauders and bears) on the frontier, the trusty musket would have been an absolute necessity. It is clear, however, that not everyone had them from the complaints of militia leaders come muster day. I can't imagine a landlord, shop or tavern keeper hauling his musket around like a best friend since they had other ways of finding sustenance. Also, since that class of people were often the militia leaders and would have had a finer weapon (or no firearm at all) than the usual farmer who needed it primarily for hunting. Pistols were more for close firing, and probably more for personal protection than anything. Some incredible dueling pistol sets, boxed, monogrammed and polished, show that this particular type was finely crafted and well taken care of for a single purpose. The shop keeper, on the other hand, might keep a rusty old single-shot flint lock pistol handy when traveling or to protect his store goods. Then you can compare the city dweller vs the pioneer, and it will be entirely different for the same person in a particular environment. I'm not sure when double barrel shotguns came into popularity. Hopefully an arms expert on the list can help you more! I know some that can talk for an hour (!) about the differences between an 1802 such-and-such and the 1807 improvement, and the implications to the global theater of the impending war (but one in a long series of world wars). Dan W.