Musket/Rifle Rack for Home or Living History Display

[rayman1]

I made a musket rack for some Brown Bess muskets and pistols and thought the model could be useful for other rifles for display at home or living history events.  As I had no plans to go off of, I imagined what one might look like for a barracks or an outfit on the Frontier.  This one was built with the 1750's mindset and touches but no reason why it couldn't work for a much later period such as the Fur Trade or such.  When I made it, there were no ideas on how it should look so maybe this will help someone who's been trying to build one:

[Major 2]

I like it  I could imagine that right at home in Tall ship's armory.

Nice work

[rayman1]

Exactly.  Something made from local timbers and made practically/simply.  Inspiration was from something like on a naval vessel.

[Tsalagidave]

Nice workmanship Rayman. I love the ambiance of your home. This display really fits in where you live.
Thanks for sharing. What events do you do?

-Dave

[rayman1]

Thabk you.  I haven't done any events and as I prepared to start being involved, the virus hit at the beginning of the year.   My father and brother do the Fur Trade living history period but I was living overseas a long while and could never participate much. 

Arizona doesn't have a lot of options for that but for CAS, I'd like to start setting things up.  Maybe not do the shooting events but just set things up.

[Major 2]

That is a fine collection of Bess's ... I'd like to know more about them 

I had one many years ago , it was used in the Texas War of Independence ....currently displayed in a Museum I donate time too. 

[Blair]

Please keep in mind the "overhead" on most war ships within this time period is quite low.
Many do not offer space enough to stand completely up right below deck.
I think what you have produced is excellent! But, is too high/tall for either ship or blockhouse practical use
Just my opinion...
My best,
Blair

[rayman1]

Wonderful comments and many thanks.  I had to make something to store all the muskets and thought it would be neat to do something such as a barracks rack.  Something that might be made by simply at an outpost with what was on-hand.  I made it to be able to facilitate also having the bayonets fixed but my ceiling isn't tall enough!  But hope to support some living history events someday with the rack. 

[Capt Quirk]

I made it to be able to facilitate also having the bayonets fixed but my ceiling isn't tall enough!  But hope to support some living history events someday with the rack.

Raised cielings? Sounds like another project 

[pony express]

Raised cielings? Sounds like another project 

Or maybe just bore a row of 2" holes in the ceiling above the rack! 

[Blair]

Or...
Maybe just turning the bayonet upside down on the muzzle end (pointy end down)? This would only add about two inches o the overall length.
My best,
Blair

[Coffinmaker]

HA!!  HA HA!!   

Aw Contraire Monsieur.

I have had the distinct pleasure of having been physically present in both.  Been in an actual "Block House."  One must visit Colonial Williamsburg.  They still have their original "Block House" with plenty of room for Muskets along the walls.  Impressive it is.

I have also walked "Tween Decks" or on the Gun-Decks of HMS VICTORY.  The Overhead is very low.  There are however, areas where the overhead is quite spacious (relative) to the main spaces.  There is room for the Musket Racks and the Bayonets were stored precisely as cayman1 has depicted.  I would not have liked serving "Before the Mast" on those War Ships.

Hide and Watch

[rayman1]

I have put the bayonets on upside down before and they look ok but they take a bit away from the look of all those bare muzzles in a row.

[Tsalagidave]

Thabk you.  I haven't done any events and as I prepared to start being involved, the virus hit at the beginning of the year.   My father and brother do the Fur Trade living history period but I was living overseas a long while and could never participate much. 

Arizona doesn't have a lot of options for that but for CAS, I'd like to start setting things up.  Maybe not do the shooting events but just set things up.

Sounds good. I'm and Arizonan also. It gets nice and green up on the Mogollon Rim. There is a rendezvous at Williams each year and if you really want to go north, there is plenty of stuff in Idaho.

-Dave

[Blair]

Coffinman,

I believe the "Block House" as you call it, (in Colonial Williamsburg?) is indeed a/the Powder Magazine.
My best,
Blair

[Major 2]

Seems adequately high enough don't you think ?   

I can still imagine a similar perhaps adjusted rack aboard a Man of War , in the Ships arms locker.

[Coffinmaker]

Most "Musket Era" Blockhouses I have visited have first floor ceilings of between 8 and 10 feet.  The closest sample example (65 Miles) is the "Fort Pitt Blockhouse."  Really tall ceilings.  In Fort Pitt, you could rack the muskets with the bayonets attached.

If you're nearby, It's worth a visit to the Fort Pitt Museum.

Live Long and Prosper

PS:  The difference between the Williamsburg "Magazine" and the Fort Pitt "Blockhouse" is academic in name only.

[DJ]

Nice looking musket rack.  Thanks for sharing.
--DJ

[rayman1]

I think it would be neat to build a wall-mounted rack that included cabinets at the bottom.  Something you'd maybe see in a big ranch house or old time Marshal's Office.  A rack for Winchester rifles, or a row of Sharps or Rolling Blocks.

[Oregon Bill]

Count me among those greatly impressed by both the rack and its contents!
Dave, where are you on the Mogollon Rim, if I might ask? Mom and her older siblings were all born in either Payson, Holbrook or Winslow.