Wednesday, 20 August 2014

TUPARA - 2 Barrel Percussion Guns followed Trade Muskets:

In 1845, (6TH  December) Governor Grey wrote about the (Maori) enemy:

Their arms are generally a double barrelled shotgun, sometimes a musket without a bayonet,  and a hatchet for close quarters, but which is a useless weapon when opposed to bayonets... they invariably carry two or three pouches filled with cartridges, they put a larger charge of powder in their cartridges than Europeans use, and the guns consequently carry further than the muskets of the British Soldiers. They are at present abundantly supplied with arms and ammunition."

Brown Bess Muskets were used by Both Sides in Early New Zealand Conflict
Percussion "TUPARA"
Although TUPARA were not particularly accurate at range - they were very deadly. - At the Battle of Ohaeawai in 1845 the Maori defenders armed with Tupara were firing from behind their palisades with musket ball "solids" and wreaked havoc on the British troops who charged the Pa. - 'Scything' them down.
The two barrel percussion shot-guns were introduced into New Zealand from about 1835. - Like the muskets - there would have been big differences in the quality of the "Trade" weapons from the "Tower" quality 'Brown Bess' flintlocks. - Flintlocks were being rapidly converted to percussion.

'Takiora' wants to get her hands on Tu-Mahukis hatchet.(1866)

I guess that I might call my compact shotgun a "TUPARA" (two barrel) rather than the Italian name "Lupara" - for the wolf.

 Marty K
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870

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