Video at the source.
Posted on 08/12/2015 10:02:23 AM PDT by Rio
While fishing at Lake Winnebago, the Fond du Lac resident pulled up anchor and found a 47-inch-long, rusted rifle encrusted with zebra mussels. Experts believe the flintlock rifle rested at the bottom of the lake for at least 200 years.
The rifle might be rusted, and the stock mostly missing, but it is a priceless piece of American history.
The history of the rifle remains unknown, but it makes a great story, and Groff will proudly display it in his home.
How’s that for a fish tale?
Shooting fish in a barrel?
I see rifles having been lost in boating accidents is not a new phenomenon.
something fishy about that rifle......
I want sumpin I can doggone Shoot!
That’ll give a few history buffs some sleepless nights.
For Sale: Colonial era milsurp, stock shows usual handling
marks, may be missing parts, bore dark but will clean up.
No import marks!...
Should be easy to get the history of that gun. Just look the serial number up in the federal gun registry
funny....
Hey, my last rifle pickup was a pristine French MAS 1936 7.5 X 54. Absolutely cherry. Dropped once, never fired.
The original pistol grip!
Where’s the BATFE?
I would not guess that there were a lot of people in that area of Wisconsin in 1815. Chicago wasn’t founded until 1830. Fort Dearborn was built in 1803, but was burned down in 1813.
not far
Surprisingly this assault weapon is in remarkable shape considering the time it spent on the bottom a lake.
You’re right, it is a military assault rifle.
I have a 200+ year old pistol that was found on the Yorktown Virginia battlefield. I bought it 50 years ago at a yard sale in Yorktown for $10 the barrel is missing but the carving on the handle and the brass engraving is there. I wouldn’t take anything for it.
Just making a point on how the term assault rife is used in hideous ways. I’m a complete 2a guy, as in there needs to be zero gun/arms control laws in the USA.
200 year old Flintlock rifle fished out of Lake Winnebago.
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.
French Voyageurs (trappers) and Jesuit explorers/missionaries were here.
And, of course, Indians who had plenty of guns.
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