✅ SOLVED Is this a musket sideplate?

[ANTIQUARIAN]

A friend of mine found this at an old homesite in the Niagara Region here in Ontario and I'm thing it's a musket sideplate?
I've included pics of the plate found along with a couple of examples I found online for comparison.

It appears to be missing a bit on the narrow end to the left, my friend looked around the area but couldn't find any other pieces. Any thoughts about what it might be and it's age would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

 

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[UnderMiner]

Part of a gun that may have shot French and Indian warriors at some point, maybe even British or Hessians too!

 

[BennyV]

That’s awesome!

 

[uniface]

Unless the picture got reversed, yours is from a gun made for a left-handed shooter. MOST unusual.

The Stoudenour (picture #1) is nice ! Who made #3 ?

 

[l.cutler]

Sideplate for sure but not from a musket. Could be from a rifle or fowling piece.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Thanks very much for your help with this guys, I'll relay your information to my friend!
Dave

 

[fyrffytr1]

I think it may be off a Richards Flintlock Pistol. Sorry for the double post on the picture. I can't delete one.

Richards Flintlock Pistol

Currently not on view

americanhistory.si.edu

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

I would say a rifle or fowling piece rather than a musket, or, at that size, likely a pistol. Does not look military.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

That definitely looks like it, thank you for your help fyrffytr1.
Hope you're doing well these days,
Dave

 

[fyrffytr1]

That definitely looks like it, thank you for your help fyrffytr1.
Hope you're doing well these days,
Dave

Doing good for an old man. Hope you are getting along well.

 

[Sandog]

A friend of mine found this at an old homesite in the Niagara Region here in Ontario and I'm thing it's a musket sideplate?
I've included pics of the plate found along with a couple of examples I found online for comparison.

It appears to be missing a bit on the narrow end to the left, my friend looked around the area but couldn't find any other pieces. Any thoughts about what it might be and it's age would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

View attachment 2043830View attachment 2043831View attachment 2043832View attachment 2043833View attachment 2043834View attachment 2043835

Nice find. It sure looks like the real thing to me,(which means absolutely nothing) but is one end broken off? All the example photos have at least 2 mounting screw holes.

 

[Georgivs]

cool!

 

[l.cutler]

One thing to keep in mind, nothing was mass produced, sideplates were all cut and filed by hand back in those days, so two guns even by the same maker would most likely be different. The size and shape of the lock used and even the size and shape of the piece of brass on hand could make a difference in the shape of the sideplate. Different makers in the same geographical area or time period would also use similar shapes and styles. You'll never really know for sure exactly what it is from. With some research and looking at a lot of pictures you may be able to identify the style and rough time period though.

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

One thing to keep in mind, nothing was mass produced, sideplates were all cut and filed by hand back in those days, so two guns even by the same maker would most likely be different. The size and shape of the lock used and even the size and shape of the piece of brass on hand could make a difference in the shape of the sideplate. Different makers in the same geographical area or time period would also use similar shapes and styles. You'll never really know for sure exactly what it is from. With some research and looking at a lot of pictures you may be able to identify the style and rough time period though.

This is good historical background information Cutler, thank you so much for your post Sir.
Best of luck to you,
Dave