Ferguson Rifle
Ferguson (Patrick Ferguson) · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1776
Also known as: Ferguson breech-loading rifle
Overview
The Ferguson rifle was a breech-loading flintlock rifle designed by Major Patrick Ferguson of the British Army and patented in 1776. It was one of the first breech-loading rifles adopted into military service. A vertical screw-plug breech, operated by one full turn of the trigger-guard handle, dropped to expose the rear of the rifled bore so that a ball and powder charge could be loaded directly at the breech, allowing a trained soldier to fire roughly six to seven rounds per minute, far faster than the muzzle-loading muskets of the day, and even while lying prone. A small experimental corps armed with the rifle saw action in the American Revolutionary War before being disbanded.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3130 g (110.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1254 mm (49.37") |
| Barrel Length | 867 mm (34.13") |
| Action Type | Breech Loading |
| Firing Mechanism | Flintlock |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Effective Range | 180 m (197 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 270 m (295 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 6 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Multi Groove |
| Number of Grooves | 8 |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
Calibers
- .65 caliber (Ferguson) · primary — also known as .650 caliber
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Breech Loaded
- Features: Screw Plug Breech, Vertical Breech Plug, Rifled Barrel, Rapid Breech Loading
Service history
Operators
- British Army · adopted 1776
Conflicts
- American Revolutionary War (1775-1783)
Production
Estimated total produced: 100 · Production years: 1776-1778
Just over 100 rifles manufactured for an experimental British rifle corps; only a handful of original examples survive today.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Patrick Ferguson
Discontinued: 1778
Notes
Just over 100 rifles were made. Sources vary on barrel length; the figure here (about 34 inches) reflects measured surviving examples. The breech mechanism, while advanced, was costly to manufacture and the experimental corps was short-lived.
Background
At the Battle of Brandywine in 1777, Patrick Ferguson reportedly had a senior American officer, later believed to be George Washington, in his sights at close range but declined to fire, judging it dishonourable to shoot an enemy commander in the back. Ferguson was himself badly wounded at Brandywine, his right arm crippled, and his experimental rifle corps was disbanded soon after. He was later killed at the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780.