Timothy Murphy, Rifleman of Saratoga - Rifle found

[Kaylee]

Hello!

This was recently posted on another forum, and thought it would be of interest here -

Rifle, recovery centerpiece of  2011 Fort Days

Timothy Murphy--patriot, Indian fighter, protector of the Valley--is Schoharie County's hero of the American Revolution.
And now is his legendary double-barreled rifle is on display at the Old Stone Fort in Schoharie.

"With the ledger, the drawing, personally, I'm 90 percent sure this is it," Mr. Kopecky said.
The .40 caliber rifle is an over-under double barrel with one hammer. After firing the first barrel, the shooter releases a lever that allows him to turn the barrels so the second loaded one lines up with the hammer.
Sometime after 1820, it was converted from flintlock to percussion.
Among other deeds, Murphy is famous for shooting British General Simon Fraser at Saratoga in 1777. a turning point in the battle.
While it's tempting to believe this is the rifle that fired the shot, Mr. Kopecky suspects not.
The barrels are relatively short, and the barrel connection is a little loose, making the long-range shot that killed Frasier extremely difficult.
Mr. Kopecky believes that Murphy borrowed a single-shot rifle from his friend, David Ellerson, also in Daniel Morgan's Rifle Corps.
"Murphy was the best shot in the company but Ellerson had the best rifle," Mr. Kopecky said. "I think he borrowed Ellerson's gun."