Although I have not gotten any of my MLs out to shoot during my holiday break, MLing has nonetheless kept my occupied for several days.
I come from a long line of outdoorsmen on my mother's side. Unfortunately, I am the only grandchild to carry on the tradition. As a result, even before my grandfather died 4 years ago I began inheriting many of the family's heirloom firearms. One in particular, the oldest, has lived in a modified Traditions ML box for several years to protect it while I finished grad school and moved around across two states. I finally settled down a couple years ago, and just now got time to turn to this particular firearm.
This ML is a history lesson all by itself. I am told the half octagonal barrel could very likely be originally from an older flintlock firearm that was converted into this percussion gun. Rather than being a plain jain working rifle, this stock has some beautiful carving of a boar's head complete with a glass eye installed.
I do not know for sure when this gun entered my family's possession. The first recorded history of it is when my great-great-great grandfather carried it in the Ontario Militia. The family story was that he was called up with the rifle to serve when some American Civil War veterans tried to invade Canada. Through much research, I believe I have nailed down the event and even the year.
In 1866, a group of former Union officers of Irish-American descent decided to leverage both the Emerald Isle patriotism and military experience of recent Union Civil War veterans to invade Canada, with the hopes of holding Ontario and creating a big headache for the British and forcing them to divert troops from the Irish occupation to defend Canada, making it easier to gain freedom for Ireland. They invaded with a series of organized raids on a multi-pronged approach in 1866, and the Canadian response was haphazard and a comedy of errors. Most who responded to the call were, like my ancestor, equipped with outdated MLs while the invaders had Spencer and Springfield breechloaders and repeaters. The invaders found some success, but when President Johnson could look the other way no longer and cut their supply lines they were forced into retreat. They tried again in 1867, but by then British troops had arrived and the Canadians had better arms too...the raids were small and short-lived. So I believe this rifle was in active duty in 1866.
Given the uniqueness and age, I thought this rifle deserved a proper display. My grandfather used to keep it in a simple wooden shadow box until it was broken probably 15 years ago. I decided to go all-out and make a red oak glass case for it.
Detail of the boar's head:
Detail of lock; notice that at some point (hopefully AFTER its useful life!!) the stock was broken right behind the lock and fixed:
Detail of the woodburned sign I made to explain its history as clearly but briefly as possible:
The actual belt from his uniform:
The (finally!) finished case, displayed on my living room wall:
