Captured from a Hessian Mercenary on Christmas Eve 1776

[Kanemono]

This is an English Coaching Carbine made by Richard Welford in 1760. The gun was bought during the Depression from a pre-Revolutionary War home in Burlington, New Jersey by Samuel H. Laidacker. The family stated that the gun was captured from a Hessian mercenary on Christmas Eve 1776 after Washington's successful Crossing of the Delaware during the Revolutionary War. If true, the carbine was probably stolen by a Hessian during their looting, pillaging and raping spree through New Jersey. I knew the antique dealer who bought the gun since the 1950’s and have a signed letter telling the story about the gun's capture. Samuel H. Laidacker was an antiques dealer in eastern Pennsylvania. His specialties were American historical glass and Anglo-American historical Staffordshire china. Early in his career, he also dealt in other antiques, such as furniture, prints, coins, stamps, and firearms. In addition to selling antiques, he sought to educate collectors through writing, publishing, and selling books and a magazine. His father, John Gideon Laidacker, was an antiques collector and dealer, beginning his career in the 1880s. His primary collecting interest was antique firearms and according to Norm Flayderman, John Laidacker had a personal collection of over 1,000 Kentucky Rifles. Samuel Laidacker conducted his business in several ways: selling at auctions, from a shop, by mail order, and at shows. In addition to running his own business, Laidacker also did cataloging for auction houses over a number of years, particularly for Parke-Bernet in New York. The Winterthur Library in Delaware has 82 boxes of the Samuel Laidacker papers. The picture of the desk shows a small portion of the firearms the Laidacker collection.

 

 

[Kanemono]

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[Kanemono]

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[Kanemono]

242 years ago tonight Washington crossed the Delaware and fought the Battle or Trenton in the morning. A major turning point of the Revolutionary War. This coaching carbine was there.

[dunmore1774]

Are you sure the piece was made by Richard Welford? Other pieces I have seen with that stamp were done by Richard Wilson.

[dunmore1774]

Beautiful gun, by the way Is it .62 cal ?

[Kanemono]

Hi Dunmore,

Thanks for the comments. From what I could find the musket is Welford but It's possible it is Wilson. Sorry I don't have a gauge to determine the barrel caliber.

Thanks,

Dick

[Tony v]

Dick

 

Wonderful weapon, thank you for the posting.

 

Tony