One of our favorite adventures while we were at Colonial Williamsburg was a special event where we learned how to shoot 18th century muskets and fowling guns. We had a blast — literally!
Loading the musket with black firing powder. When that leather piece is pulled off and the trigger is released, the flint in the front hits the metal piece currently covered by leather, creating a spark that ignites the powder. That will propel the 69-caliber ball forward—with a bang!
“Ready, Aim, Fire!”. The British Military Musket of the Revolutionary War era weighed about 10 lbs, so Mom thought she could steady the weight better from a kneeling position.
And here’s the musket in action.
Shelly in shooting stance with the fowling gun.
We learned how to fire fowling guns and flintlock muskets this morning. Shelly turned out to be quite a sharpshooter!
My target wasn’t as impressive as Shelly’s, but all six shots at least hit the cardboard, which counts as a “battlefield shot”.
Since the events calendar at Colonial Williamsburg is constantly changing, I can’t guarantee that the musket firing event will be available during your visit, but if it is — sign up for some training and join General Washington’s Continental Army!