Windham Historical Society

Description

This Remington rifle was used at the Oriental Powder Mills in South Windham to test the strength of the gunpowder manufactured there. During the Civil War, the Mills produced 25 percent of the gunpowder used by the Union Army. Situated along the Presumpscot River, the Mills drew workers from both the Windham and Gorham communities.

Made of steel with a dark wood stock and fold-down peep site, the rifle is stamped "E. Remington and Sons, Illion, N.Y." It's a model #1730 half-octagon rifle with seven patent dates, starting in 1864, stamped on its barrel.

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