War of 1812 - Artefact of the Week - July 6, 2012

New Land Pattern Musket

This new land pattern musket, with United States musket ramrod in place, is identified in connection to the British Indian Department during the War of 1812. Dated to the later years of the war, this weapon would have been carried by officers or staff of the British Indian Department, which consisted of roughly one hundred officers who worked as interpreters, agents, and envoys to various First Nations tribes during the war. The British Indian Department sought to further British interests amongst First Nations warriors in British North America through these efforts, and hoped that strengthened ties would serve both parties well during the War of 1812.

New Land Pattern Musket
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