Rifle
Author: Unknown
Origin: England
Dating: 18th century
Material: Metal & Wood
Dimensions (cm): 18 x 7,5 x 114
Weight: 3167 g
Inv. no.: PD1064
A muzzle-loading rifle with flintlock mechanism whose ramrod is of metal. On the lock plate, one may read the inscription “T. POTTS LONDON” which indicates that the weapon was produced in the workshop of Thomas Potts.
This type of weapon originated a new class of soldier in the 17th century: the rifleman.
Its firing mechanism consists of a hammer – with a flint at its end – that, after being triggered, hits the frizzen – a movable metal piece – which ignites sparks that detonate the gunpowder. This sequence results in the weapon firing.
Despite being a weapon of mediocre accuracy and of slow reloading, during the 18th and early 19th centuries, it was the most common Infantry weapon. At most, a well-trained soldier would only be able to shoot three times a minute.
