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Colonial militia used British-made muskets like this Wilson model, which has been donated to Fort Ticonderoga. Image courtesy of Fort Ticonderoga.

Rare 18th century musket donated to Fort Ticonderoga

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Colonial militia used British-made muskets like this Wilson model, which has been donated to Fort Ticonderoga. Image courtesy of Fort Ticonderoga.
Colonial militia used British-made muskets like this Wilson model, which has been donated to Fort Ticonderoga. Image courtesy of Fort Ticonderoga.

TICONDEROGA, N.Y. (AP) – A rare British-made musket of the type used by American Colonial soldiers during the French and Indian War has been donated to New York’s Fort Ticonderoga.

Curator Christopher Fox says the Wilson musket was carried by militia regiments from New York and New Jersey. The weapon is named for Richard Wilson, a London gun maker who produced guns for the American Colonies during the 1750s.

The British commander in North America acquired 1,000 Wilson muskets owned by the city of New York. Historians believe some of those weapons were issued to New York troops who fought against the French at Ticonderoga in 1758.

Officials at the upstate tourist attraction say the newly acquired Wilson musket will be on display in the fort’s museum when the site opens for the 2013 season next month.

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AP-WF-04-09-13 0706GMT

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Colonial militia used British-made muskets like this Wilson model, which has been donated to Fort Ticonderoga. Image courtesy of Fort Ticonderoga.
Colonial militia used British-made muskets like this Wilson model, which has been donated to Fort Ticonderoga. Image courtesy of Fort Ticonderoga.