V11_p087-094 - Murray State University

FIREARMS ON THE 19th CENTURY URBAN LANDSCAPE:
A VIEW FROM THE KENTUCKY HISTORY CENTER SITE (15FR115),
FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY
Donald B. Ball
The analysis of a diverse sample of firearm related artifacts recovered from the heart of historic Frankfort - a
portion of the city platted and built upon as early as the l 790's - has yielded several intriguing insights into the role
of firearms in Kentucky's capitol from virtually the days of earliest settlement to the First World War. This
assemblage has done much to illuminate from the urban vantage point attitudes toward and uses of handguns,
shotguns, and rifles and their applications for purposes of self-defense, hunting, and rodent control, respectively.
Archaeologists have long been aware of the presence of
frrearms and ordnance related artifacts and through the
years materials recovered from a variety of sites have
yielded both interesting and useful insights into the
appearance of these items since the early colonial period.
Though these studies have recorded many examples of
early gunparts, gunflints, bullets, and related materials as
they appeared at various military facilities, fur trade related
sites, and farmsteads, such remains from non-military and
rural contexts have typically been poorly documented.
Indeed, one's normal expectations regarding artifacts of
this nature in urban areas is that they appear with such
infrequency (if at all) that they were an unimportant aspect
of a city's artifactual residuum. Previous archaeological
studies conducted in Frankfort, however, have clearly
demonstrated that far from being effectively non-existant
on the urban landscape, firearms were - in the context of
19th century Frankfort
generally commonplace,
particularly handguns and shotguns.
The analysis of materials recovered from Liberty Hall
(1796-1956+ ), the stately Georgian style home of the
Honorable John Brown located on the Corner of
Celebrities near downtown Frankfort yielded seven
gunflints, eleven lead balls and shot (variably .30 to .52
caliber), one roundnosed lead bullet (.30 caliber), one
percussion cap, and ten cartridge cases reflecting the use of
at least two pistols (a .38 S&W and a .32 Rimfire), two
shotguns (12 and 16 gauge), and a small caliber rifle (.22
BB Caps). These remains spanned the gamut of firearms
history from the age of flintlocks to after 1910 as evidenced
by one cartridge case headstamp (Fay 1986:102-104).
Studies conducted in conjunction with the construction
of the South Frankfort Floodwall by the U. S. Army Corps
Donald B. Ball 312 Iowa Avenue, Louisville, KY 402081427
of Engineers recovered three cartridge cases (two .22
Shorts and a single .38 S&W) from two houselots in that
portion of town (Esarey et al. 1993:40, 53). Excavations
on the grounds of the Old State Capitol yielded a total of
93 firearm related artifacts. Of these, 92 pieces of
munitions were recovered including cartridges and
cartridge cases (for both pistol and rifle), bullets (ranging
from .22 to .58 caliber), two 12 gauge shotgun brass bases,
and buckshot. One incomplete (hammer missing) Model
1839 single shot military pistol was also recovered (Deiss
1988:75-77).
Significantly, firearm related artifacts have been
uncovered in the course of every major archaeological
project oriented toward the investigation of historic era
remains conducted in the city. In this regard, the
excavations undertaken in the summer of 1995 by the
University of Kentucky at the Kentucky History Center Site
in downtown Frankfort was no exception. These
excavations - to be the subject of a much more detailed
project completion report - were situated two blocks from
the Old State Capitol and across the railroad tracks from
Frankfoit's railroad depot. For purposes of orientation, it is
appropriate to note that the project area consisted of onehalf of a city block oriented lengthwise to the nearby
railroad track. Within this area, excavations were
conducted in four lots, hereafter referred to as Blocks. Of
these, three produced materials which will be discussed
herein. Block l was the site of a hotel (later boarding
house) which operated from the early 1800's until ca. 1950.
Three areas are of present concern: a courtyard area and
two filled and later capped privies behind the hotel. Block
i was the site of a brick residence; this lot was frrst built
upon in the l 790's. Block 3 was a comer lot and site of a
former boarding house. The recovery of a small but
informative sample of fireann related artifacts from
excavations undertaken in the historic heart of the city has
Ohio Valley Historical Archaeology 11(1996):87-94
87
Ohio Valley Historical Archaeology
afforded a rare glimpse into the role and use of firearms in
a turn-of-the-century urban context and, as shall be
discussed in greater detail below, has resulted in some
unexpected findings related to life in this neighborhood
situated but two blocks from Kentucky's capitol.
Volume 11
1996
flakes closely resembling secondary flake removal on the
working edge of some prehistoric flake tools. The size of
this broken flint suggests that it was used in a pistol rather
than a larger musket or rifle. Gun flints of blond flint were
likely made in France (cf Brown 1980:79; Hamilton, ed.
1982:135-146).
THE ASSEMBLAGE
A total of 64 firearm related artifacts were presented for
analysis. Fur ready reference, all of these materials are
inventoried by artifact type and the units in which they
were recovered in Table 1. Metal preservation within the
areas investigated was far from ideal. Iron and steel items
were encrusted with rust, lead articles were heavily
oxidized, and brass in particular was typically heavily
deteriorated and corroded. Though this sample was
relatively small numerically, it was surprisingly quite
diverse in its composition and represented the gamut of
firearms technology from flintlock weapons current in
1800 to the rimfire and centerfire cartridges in common
use in 1900. The present comments and the following
interpretive observations will address two straight forward
but interrelated questions concerning this assemblage:
"What was found?" and "What have we learned from it?".
"Flintlock Rifle Lockwork". An item resembling the lock
of a right handed flintlock rifle sans barrel was recovered
from excavations in Block 3. This piece was largely
encrusted with heavy rust and reflected only the outline of
the artifact. Prior to examination, this object had been
undergoing electrolysis for about one month. This process
had successfully begun to remove a portion of the thick
encrustation. Although the upper 90% or so of the object
was still covered with rust, the lower edge of the piece
afforded a small degree of visibility along the lower edge
of the hammer and along the bottom edge of the lockplate.
This area of bare metal revealed neither screwholes nor
milled surfaces such as one would expect on an item of
this nature. The rounded lower edge of the lockplate and
the lack of any detectable gap between the plate's flat
exterior surface and the hammer suggest that this piece
was derived from a tum of the century cast iron toy rather
than a firearm. Additional conservation efforts will
continue on this artifact.
Gunflints. Popularly associated with "flintlock" firearms,
gunflints were in fact utilized in several distinct types of
early weapons. A single broken "blond" gunflint was
recovered in Block 2. Measuring 0.858" (21.8 mm) in
width, this piece displays the typical trapezoidal profile
expected in a gunflint made &om a carefully prepared flint
blade. The striking surface exhibits a ca. 50 degree angle
and clearly shows the use removal of numerous small
88
One black gunflint was found in Feature 1030 in Block
1. Fashioned from a flint with small fossiliferous
inclusions, this piece measures (as is) 1.251" (31.8 mm) in
width by 1.046" (26.6 mm) in height by 0.504" (12.8 mm)
in thickness. Though roughly trapezoidal in profile, the
crude workmanship of this piece and the context from
which it was recovered strongly suggest that this item was
locally produced and may well date to a period long after
gunflints were commonly used.
Cartridge Cases. The 25 cartridge cases recovered from
the Kentucky History Center excavations reflected both
rimfire and Boxer primed centerfire types. Present were
cases representing pistol, rifle, and shotgun ammunition.
The following comments will address rimfire, centerfire
pistol, and centerfire rifle cartridges, and shotshells.
Rimfire. A total of ten rimfire cartridge cases were
recovered from various areas of Block 1 (seven cases) and
Block 2 (three cases). A single .22 BB (Flobert) Cap in
generally good condition from Block 2 bore no evidence of
an identifying headstamp. Seven examples of .22 Short
cases were found. One example bore an "F" headstamp
indicating production by the Federal Cartridge Company.
Another case displayed an "H" headstamp indicating
manufacture by Winchester. Yet another case exhibited a
"U" headstamp denoting manufacture by the Union
Metallic Cartridge Company (purchased in 1911 by
Remington Arms Company); this headstamp continued to
be used under new ownership. Three .22 Short cases were
too corroded to read as was a single .22 rimfire case head
(the rim of the cartridge). One well preserved .22 Long
(introduced 1871) or similarly dimensioned .22 Long Rifle
(introduced 1887) case displayed a "US" headstamp
consisting of raised letters nestled within a slightly
concave circular panel. This case was made by the United
States Cartridge Company which operated from 1869 to
1936 (Barnes 1993:407). Ammunition of this type was
rapidly adapted to use in numerous makes and models of
derringers, revolvers, and rifles (cf. Hogg and Weeks 1992;
NRA 1981; Schwing and Houze 1996); it is not possible to
determine the type of weapon in which these rounds were
fired.
A single example of a .46 Short in rather good
condition (case mouth partially crushed) was recovered
Ohio Valley Historical Archaeology
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TABLE 1. FIREARM ARTIFACT INVENTORY AND BLOCK/FEATURE PROVENIENCE.
I
l
Block 1
Ftr.
1001
···---
I Courtyard
'
[Group/Item
! Block2
Ftr. 1030
- ----
Block3
Yard
Backyard
--
. ..
Firearms
"Flintlock"
(cast iron toy?)
0
0
0
.-
Gunflints
Blond
Black
0
0
Cartridge cases
Rimfire
22 BB Cap
22 Short - "F"
22 Short - "H"
·-----22 Short - "U"
22 Short - illegible
22 casehead - illegible
22 Longrifle - "US"
'
-
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
'
0
1
..
'
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
1
146 Short
0
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
··--
----
Centerfire i:iistol
32S&W
32 S&W L~n_Q_ (?)
38 Long Colt (?)
38 Special
38 Special (?)
•.
-
0
0
0
0
0
-
0
0
0
1
1
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
0
1
0 ..
0
1
-
Projectiles
Roundnose Bullets
.365~' (142.3 gr)*
.366" (127.1 gr)
.570" (487.7 gr)
0
1
0
0
--
•Centerfire rifle
[.45-70 Go'vernment
j.45-70 "Dummy"
§hotgun
12 Gauge
10 Gauge
--
·-
0
I
·-
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
1
1
0
B
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Ohio Valley Historical Archaeology
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TABLE 1. FIREARM ARTIFACT INVENTORY AND BLOCK/FEATURE PROVENffiNCE
(CONTINUED).
-
-·
·-·
I
----
- ·-
! Grou~/item
-
---- -··----
Courtyard
Projectiles (Continued)
Roundball
.174-.180" (7.9 gr)*
J_._?68-.278" (31.0 g_~)
lc280-.325" (39.0 gr)
.294-.360" (50.0 gr)
.298-.322" (47.0 gr)
.309-.327" (46.8 gr)
.309-.341" (47.3 gr)
.310-.332" (48.0 gr)
,.314-.322"(47.3 gr)
.315-.329" (46.0 gr)
1.322-.332" (49.9 gr)
,. 324-.331" (51.7 gr)
.324-.341" (50.5 gr)
_. 333-.350" (56.0 gr)
.334-.350" (59.5 gr)
.338-.345" (59.1 gr)
.355-.365" (70.1 gr)
.355-.369" (<53.2 gr)
Deformed (66. 7 gr)
Deforme<!_(68.6 gr)
.380-.382" (<75.3 gr)
.425-.484" (140.4 gr)
.454-.462" (141.8 gr)
.461-.471" (147._0 gr)
···.65?-.692" (<357.4 gr)
Gun parts
Buttplate (brass)
Lockplate (?)
.
0
1
1
-·0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Block3
-Yard
-0
-
0
0
·-
··-- -··-
1
0
-
0
0
1
1
Block2
Backyard
1
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
-
- - - --
-
--·
- - -------
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
-
0
-0
-1
-
5
19
24
15
0
0
0
·-
0
0
1
-·
0
·-
'
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
-·
·-
--
Block 1 I
Ftr. 1001
Ftr. 1030
·-
Miscellaneous
Lead lump (429.1 gr)
!Provenience Totals
-
-
Total firearm related artifacts:
0
----
1
64 items
"Gr" = grain. Commonly used as the industry standard in reference to bullet, shot, and powder
weight, 1.0 lb. contains 7,000 grains (1.0 ounce= 437.5 grains).
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Ohio Valley Historical Archaeology
from the courtyard area of Block I. Prominently
headstamped with a capital "H" denoting production by
Winchester Repeating Arms Company, this cartridge was
produced from ca. 1870 until the entry of the United States
into World War I (Barnes 1993:376). The likely weapon in
which this cartridge was used was the 1861 Model
Remington Army revolver. Some 12,000 of these .44
caliber percussion cap ("cap and ball") revolvers were
produced by Remington in 1862 under contract to the U.S.
Army . (Schwing and Houze 1996:527); the number of
these weapons subsequently converted to shoot rimfire
cartridges is not known.
Centerfire Pistol. A total of six cartridge cases were
identifiable as centerfire pistol ammunition. All examples
were straight walled, rimmed types indicating their use in
revolvers. A single identifiable .32 S&W was recovered.
This specimen bore a headstamp reading "WRACo"
denoting manufacture by the Winchester Repeating Arms
Company (cf Department of Defense 1989:163).
Introduced in 1878, a number of tum of the century
revolvers were chambered for this round (cf. Hogg and
Weeks 1992; NRA 1981). Two possible .32 S&W Long
cases were encountered. Representing an elongated version
of the .32 S&W round, this cartridge was first produced in
1903 (ibid.:225). Both cartridges remain in production
(Barnes 1993:224; NRA 1981:200-201).
Three .38 caliber cases were recovered, all of which
were in a poor state of preservation. One possible .38 Colt
Long case bore no legible headstamp. This cartridge was
introduced in 1875 and served as the official U. S. Army
revolver cartridge from 1892 until 191 l(Barnes 1993:237).
This round is no longer produced. Similarly dimensioned
and contemporaneous handgun cartridges include the .38
S&W and .380 Revolver rounds (ibid. :257). A single .38
Special case carried a "UMC/ 38 S&W SPL" headstamp
denoting production by the Union Metallic Cartridge
Company (merged with Remington Arms Company in
1910; NRA 1981:166). Introduced in 1899 (NRA 1989:70)
for use in the Smith and Wesson Military and Police
revolver (Barnes 1993:237), both this cartridge and the
weapon for which it was designed remain in active
production. This cartridge was to serve as the primary
"workhorse" of lawmen nationwide until the 1930's. One
additional case - possibly a .38 Special - was recovered
though the headstamp was illegible.
Centerfire Rifle. Two varieties of .45-70 Government cases
were retrieved. A single example of a "regular" case from
the backyard of Block 2 bore a headstamp reading "U S C
CO! 45 70" indicating manufacture by the United States
Cartridge Company, a firm in business from 1869 to 1936
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1996
(Barnes 1993:407). This cartridge was introduced in 1873
for use in the Model 1873 Springfield "trapdoor" single
shot military rifle. During the period 1873-1893, the
Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts,
produced over 383,000 rifles and carbines chambered for
the .45- 70 Government cartridge (Schwing and Houze
1996:673-674). It was replaced as a "frontline" round by
the .30-40 Krag rifle and cartridge in 1892 but was used by
Spanish-American War units in the later portion of that
decade and among state militias units well after 1900
(ibid.:91).
A total of nine .45-70 "Dummy" cartridges were
recovered from Feature 1001 in Block 1. This sample
consisted of the bodies of eight cartridge cases and nine
bullets. The "heel" of each bullet was still surrounded by
the uppermost portion ("neck") of a badly corroded
cartridge case. These cases bore no primer and were never
meant to be fired. Rather, these inert cartridges were
intended to be used for training purposes and the outer
edges of the base of these cases displayed numerous small
scratches and indentations (likely caused by extractor
abrasion) suggesting frequent insertion and removal from
the action of a weapon. Each case was characterized by
two shallow, elongated concave indentations just above the
rim of the case near the lower portion of the wall of the
cartridge. Each indentation extended almost - but not quite
- half way around the base and served to indicate the
special function of these rounds. One case bore a legible
headstamp reading "R/6 80/F" indicating it was a rifle
cartridge produced in June 1880 at the Frankford Arsenal
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Shotgun Shells. The remains of two shotgun shells were
recovered. The basal portion of a 12 gauge shell from
Block 2 bore a clear headstamp reading "UM C Col No
(primer pocket) 12/ CLUB". Another base, this derived
from a 10 gauge shell was excavated from Feature 1001 in
Block 1. This badly deteriorated item carried a headstamp
reading "U M C CO/ NO 10". Both shellheads were
produced by the Union Metallic Cartridge Company and
were of the wound paper base wad and paper wall variety.
Each case exhibited a "high brass" configuration meaning
that the hull was made to accommodate a "low" paper base
wad which provided for greater powder capacity.
Projectiles. Multiple examples of two types of projectiles
were recovered: roundnosed bullets and roundball shot or
bullets. All were fabricated from lead and none displayed
evidence of a metal jacket or plating such as frequently
encountered in the design of contemporary ammunition .
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Ohio Valley Historical Archaeology
Roundnose Bullets. Two expended roundnose lead bullets
were recovered from Block 2. The configuration, size, and
weight of these items suggests that both were fired in
handguns, most likely revolvers. As expressed in caliber
(bullet diameter), the smaller of the two pistol bullets had
a diameter of0.365" and exhibited reverse land and groove
impressions indicating it had been fired from a weapon
with right-hand rifling
suggesting a
handgun
manufactured by Smith and Wesson or any of a number of
other American gunmakers (cf. NRA 1989:199). The
dimensionally wider projectile had a diameter of 0.366"
and evidenced left-hand rifling impressions indicating that
it had likely been fired from a Colt or British made
revolver (ibid.). The markedly rounded ogive of the noses
of these bullets, the presence of concave bases, and
machine marks appearing in the crimping groove recess of
the heavier bullet indicate that these projectiles were
swaged (formed from lead wire under pressure) rather than
molded. This production method is consistent with the
late-19th and early 20th century cartridge case types
recovered from the History Center Site. In all likelihood,
these bullets these bullets were fired from a rifled weapon
with a nominal bore diameter of .38 caliber such as a
handgun chambered for .38 Special or .38 Smith and
Wesson cartridges.
Three minie balls, typically associated with Civil War
era longarms (cf. Coates and Thomas 1990; Madaus 1981),
were recovered from Feature 1030 in Block 1. This bullet
type, the invention of French army officer Major Claude
Minie, was first used in conjunction with the special
needle-fire bolt-action rifle developed in 1840 by Johann
von Dreyse in Prussia (NRA 1989:39-40). None of the
recovered examples exhibited any indication of either
deformation or having been fired. All were retrieved from
the same unit and it appears that they had been deposited
at the same time. Each of these projectiles had a diameter
of ca. 0.570", and weighed ca. 487.7 grains (1.11 ounce).
Typically issued in the form of paper cartridged
ammunition (cf Coates and Thomas 1990:67-68), such
bullets were widely produced by both Union and
Confederate armories and munitions contractors and used
in weapons such as the Model 1861 and Model 1863
Springfield muskets. These paper cartridged bullets and
their associated longarms continued to serve the U. S.
Army into the 1870's and do not necessarily indicate Civil
War era deposition.
Roundball Shot and Bullets. The aggregate assemblage
contained 25 lead roundball projectiles (see Table 1)
ranging from ca. 0.174-0.180" (7.9 grains) to 0.656-0.692"
(<357.4 grains) in diameter. The entirety of this sample
exhibited varying degrees of deformation but none showed
evidence of rifling imprints suggesting that all had been
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fired in either shotguns or large caliber smoothbore arms.
In light of the wide range of ball sizes fired in 19th century
firearms including derringers, pistols, muskets, and
shotguns, it is not possible to definitively identify the
weapon(s) which fired these projectiles. Largely based
upon the context from which these items were recovered, it
is not unreasonable to suggest that the majority of these
items were used in shotguns for specific applications which
will be discussed.
Using contemporary specifications as guidelines for
categorizing the recovered examples, the Frankfort
excavations yielded (in ascending size) the following shot
sizes (with quantities in parentheses): BB (1); 2 Buck (1);
1 Buck (1); 0 Buck (10); 00 Buck (4); and 000 Buck (4).
Four larger roundballs ranged in size from 0.425-0.484"
(140.4 grains) to 0.656-0.692" (<357.4 grains). It is not
improbable that these projectiles were fired in older,
smoothbore weapons. Two roundballs showed evidence of
distinctive sprew marks clearly denoting production in a
mold rather than manufacture in a shot tower. One
roundball - the only such item found in the courtyard area
of Block 1 - so produced was 0.355-0.365" in diameter
and weighed 70. l grains. A larger, possibly musket, ball
exhibiting a sprew mark was found in Feature 1001 in
Block 1. This ball measured 0.454-0.462" in diameter and
weighed 141. 8 grains. The balance of the examined
roundballs showed no evidence of mold production.
Gunparts. Gunparts were infrequently encountered during
the conduct of the excavations. Only two such items, both
from Block 2, were recovered. The most obvious such item
was a heavy brass buttplate. Resembling a large inverted
"L", the weapon from which this item was removed has not
been identified although in general appearance it is likely
that it was originally associated with a military longarm.
This piece bore no identifying marks.
One item generally resembling the elliptical rear
portion of a lockplate was recovered. This item was
obviously broken from a larger piece and in its present
condition measures 1.502" (38.2 mm) in length, 0.955"
(24.3 mm) in height, and ca. 0.132" 3.4 mm) in thickness.
A single screwhole (0.205"/5.2 mm diameter) is located
near the crest of the ellipse. Though heavily encrusted
with rust and only partially cleaned by means of on-going
electrolysis, the visible portions of this piece displays no
identifying hallmarks. The source of this item is unknown
and it may in fact have been derived from a non-firearm
source such as a ca. 1900 cast iron toy gun.
Miscellaneous. A single, roughly triangular, lump of lead
weighing just under one ounce was recovered from Block
Ohio Valley Historical Archaeology
2. Such material may have resulted from household
plumbing repairs (sealing pipe joints) or other domestic
activities and the relationship of this item to firearm
related activities is problematical.
INTERPRETIVE REMARKS
The analysis of the numerically restrictive sample of
firearm related materials from the Kentucky History Center
excavations has produced several intriguing insights into
the use and role of weapons in this urban area. Based upon
both the nature of the items recovered and, importantly,
their specific locational contexts, the following
observations are possible.
1. The relative abundance of .22 caliber cartridge cases in
conjunction with the frequent occurrence of rat bones in
virtually all excavation areas suggests that the residents of
this city block were not above taking some informal target
practice at these disease carrying rodents. Such cartridges
were widely used in both handguns and rifles. The use of
relatively low powered .22 caliber cartridges (all of which
would have propelled their projectile at sub-sonic
velocities) would produce little noise yet be highly effective
in controlling the resident pest population.
2. As represented by the diversity of the recovered
cartridge cases, handguns were a popular form of selfdefense. In keeping with the types of firearms available at
the time, these weapons were generally .32 or .38 caliber
revolvers. The observation that six out of seven recovered
cartridge cases (six centerfire pistol and a single .46 caliber
rimfire case) were found at Block 1 - the site of a hotel and
therefore an area associated with a large transient
population - further suggests that it was not necessarily
rare for people to travel armed.
3. The relative abundance of roundball projectiles
recovered from feature context in Block 1 - significantly
associated with large quantities of faunal remains suggests that hunting in the outlying areas around
Frankfort was a popular activity. This aspect of shooting
should not be construed as sport hunting but more likely
represents the harvesting of hogs which were roaming the
woods of the region in a day and age prior to the passage
(and active enforcement) of laws requiring the fencing of
farm animals (cf. Murrey-Wooley and Raitz 1992:74-75).
Of particular note, the sheer size of the majority of the
roundball projectiles recovered (various sizes of buckshot)
clearly makes a statement that small fur bearing mammals
and game birds were not the intended prey. Shot of this
nature is best suited for larger game (deer, bear, or hog
sized) and a shotgun loaded with large buckshot would
have been ideal for taking game in dense woods or brush
Volume 11
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where the likelihood of a long distance shot was minimal.
Such hunting was likely done at distances of 50 yards (45.7
meters) or less. It may be anticipated that the majority of
the shot pellets recovered were discarded along with the
bones of the animal which they were used to kill in the
features at the hotel at Block 1.
4. The recovery of a single crudely made black flint
gunflint in a feature dating well past the era in which
flintlocks were routinely used suggests that such weapons
remained in active use in limited civilian circles long after
their effective era of usage by both the military and civilian
shooters. Further, it is not overly speculative to suggest that
the person who likely deposited the recovered homemade
gunflint in the Block l feature (a privy) may well have
been the same individual who in fact had shot game for
sale to the hotel's kitchen.
5. Specialized military hardware in the form of special
production .45-70 "Dummy" (inert) cartridges reflect the
comings and goings of army personnel assigned to or
having business at the Kentucky Armory located near the
downtown area and the hotel situated on Block 1.
The present analysis of frrearm related artifacts
recovered from the Kentucky History Center Site in
conjunction with a review of similar materials excavated in
other areas of Frankfort has served to establish that among
the city's civilian population firearms were introduced
effectively at the time of its settlement (as evidenced by
early gunflints recovered from two residential lots) and
remained a viable aspect of the urban landscape throughout
the 19th century (as shown by late centerfire revolver
cartridge cases at several lots). Excluding rifle related
cartridges (typically military rounds), the relative
frequency of non-military ammunition remains reflects that
handguns (revolvers) and shotguns were the firearms of
choice among the city's residents for personal protection
and hunting, respectively. Late in the century, small bore
(.22 caliber rimfire) rifles were likely used in an attempt to
control the rat population which thrived because of the
sanitation and food disposal practices of the period.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author gratefully acknowledges the kind assistance
of Dr. Kim McBride and Mr. Jeffrey Watts-Roy of the
University of Kentucky - Lexington in making these
materials available for study. All materials discussed
herein are curated by the Kentucky Historical Society. The
comments presented herein have been extracted from a
more detailed study of these artifacts scheduled to appear
in the final report of excavations for the Kentucky History
Center Site.
93
Ohio Valley Historical Archaeology
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