Pre-Civil War Gun Falls from Museum Roof
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towncrierlogoHEAR YE! HEAR YE! 

APRIL 2011 -- During roof renovations to the Raitt Homestead Farm Museum's 1896 Main Farmhouse a relic from years gone by literally fell out of the soffit, much to the surprise of everyone at the Farm Museum. “JT,” a member of building contractor JD MacDougall's crew, was working on the soffit when the revolver fell out.  JT handed the 1858 revolver to Tom Raitt, caretaker of the Raitt Homestead Farm Museum. (Continued below)  

 

  “In addition to the revolver, two glass bottles and a powder horn were also found in the soffit,” Tom says.

Museum officials took the artifact to the Kittery Trading Post where David Michniewicz, who works in the gun department there, instantly recognized it as an 1858 Beals Remington revolver.  

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“I believe the revolver will still work even though it is in ‘relic’ condition,” David said after confirming the identity of the gun.  

“He located a book that contained a description of the gun,” Tom Raitt says, “how many were made, and many other details about the revolver, so we could have the information and would be able to do some more research.”

Museum president Steve Beckert says there a plans to display their new find at the 16th Eliot Antique Tractor and Engine Show in July, and at the Mainely Grillin' & Chillin' BBQ Festival in early August.  

“Every once in a while something occurs here at the Farm that takes you back to an earlier life of simpler times,” says museum trustee Alan Watson. “Finding that old firearm was such an event. Whose was it? Why was it hidden in the eave? One can't help but wonder what part this revolver played in the lives of our predecessors here at the Homestead. I suppose we are left only to speculate what those events might have been."

The Raitt Homestead Farm Museum is a registered nonprofit organization dedicated to educating future generations and the community at large about farming history.  Located in Eliot Maine, this year marks the 16th year of events held at the beautiful 33-acre farm.  100% of the proceeds go towards the preservation and restoration of the property, buildings and equipment.  

Visit the official Raitt Homestead Web site

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