87: Exploring the Guns of Lexington and Concord: 250 Years of Insights from Historian Joel Bohy
In this special episode of the No Lowballers podcast, hosts Logan Metesh of High Caliber History and Allen Forkner of GunBroker are joined by historian Joel Bohy to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Lexington and Concord battles, the spark of the American Revolution.
Joel, who previously discussed his book Bullet Strikes with us, returns to dive deeper into the firearms, tactics, and key moments that shaped the first battle of the Revolution. From the iconic “shot heard around the world” to the intricacies of 18th-century muskets, this conversation provides insight into the arms and accouterments of the colonial militias and the British forces that day.
Key Topics Covered:
- The Arms of Lexington and Concord:
Joel explains the two types of muskets used by British forces, the Pattern 1769 Shortland and the Pattern 1756 Longland, and their effects on battlefield accuracy. He highlights the differences in musket bores, the variability in ammunition, and the role of civilian arms in the conflict. - The Misconception of Revolutionary War Firearms:
Many people assume all Revolutionary War guns were inaccurate and ineffective, but Joel sheds light on how various firearms, including the civilian hunting guns carried by militias, performed better than commonly thought. - Franken-Guns and Local Gunsmiths:
The importance of local gunsmiths in assembling makeshift “Franken-guns” is discussed, along with the role of these guns in the militia’s arsenal during the revolution. The fascinating mix of parts and craftsmanship that went into these firearms illustrates the resourcefulness of early Americans. - The British and Colonial Ammunition:
Discussion about the challenges of ammunition fitting, such as mismatched musket balls and bore sizes, reveals some of the real difficulties faced by soldiers trying to hit their targets accurately on the battlefield. - The 250th Anniversary of April 19, 1775:
Joel and the hosts reflect on the historical significance of this pivotal day, how it influenced the rest of the Revolutionary War, and why the events at Lexington and Concord remain important today. - Historic Firearms and Archaeological Insights:
Joel shares his findings from archaeological digs, including musket balls and artifacts found in local ponds, and discusses the ongoing research into the weapons of the time. - The Global Impact of April 19, 1775:
The episode ends on a philosophical note, reflecting on how the battle’s legacy influenced not only America but the rest of the world’s pursuit of freedom.
Guest:
Joel Bohy, Historian and Author of Bullet Strikes: The First Day of the American Revolution.
Check out Joel’s new book Bullet Strikes for more in-depth research and analysis of the pivotal events of April 19, 1775.
Previous Episodes with Joel Bohy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYHBDMRzfrM&t=5s
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Hear the truth behind the trigger on this show that highlights the insanity, calamity and oddity of firearm history, collectibles and the crazy valuables. Every week historian Logan Metesh of High Caliber History joins the GunBroker team to discuss topics such as mobster favorites, collector pieces, war-time weapons, hunting gun history, competition firearms and more.
