- Joined
- Aug 25, 2012
We read of state militia being issued unconverted flint lock muskets and obsolete flint locks converted percussion. This made me wonder how long a musket could site in an armory before they became unusable. I assume that in optimal conditions muskets would remain servable for decades with little to no maintenance. But how many states had armories that provided optimal conditions and how many state armories were damp or overly dry? Damp or overly dry armories would have decreased the time muskets could sit in an armory. Some states may have cleaned and maintained their stored muskets while other state put muskets in a damp basement and never cleaned or maintained them. Belts, pouches and other leather items would become inseverable in either damp or wet stowage areas. The same could be said for artillery carriages and harness.
"Blow, wind! Come, wrack! At least we’ll die with harness on our back." Who doesn't want to die with harness on their backs? Perhaps no one wants to die with moldy, rotten harness on their backs.
"Blow, wind! Come, wrack! At least we’ll die with harness on our back." Who doesn't want to die with harness on their backs? Perhaps no one wants to die with moldy, rotten harness on their backs.