American Weapons of the French and Indian War: Of Sorts for Provincials by Jim Mullins

The arms and accoutrements used by American Provincials during the Seven Years' War. Full-color illustrations, softcover, 11" X 8-1/2", 185 pages, ISBN 978-0-9765797-3-1.

This book displays the firearms, swords and accoutrements of the American provincial soldier in the French and Indian War. Important early guns from many private collections as well as the collection of Colonial Williamsburg are shown in full-color photographs. Close-up views of important details are shown for each weapon, as well as the bayonets belonging to many of them.

 

Unlike the British, the Americans were supplied with a wide range of weapons, ranging from the British Long Land Brown Bess musket and carbine to civilian rifles and fowlers. Often old, used or otherwise in poor condition, these guns were referred to as “of sorts for Provincials” by British officers. These guns were produced by British contractors and the Board of Ordinance, as well as in other countries, notably Holland, Belgium and France.

 

Although the vast majority of the book focuses on longarms, the accoutrements of the soldiers, including cartridge boxes and pouches, cleaning tools, shot pouches and powder horns, are shown, along with a selection of swords, knives, pole-arms and pistols. Mullins’ extensive research, in original documents on both sides of the Atlantic, tells the story of equipping the American provincial.