Revolutionary War Gun Factory - Hummelstown, PA
Posted by: NorStar
N 40° 15.906 W 076° 42.727
18T E 354417 N 4458587
While the British Army occupied Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania provisional government was meeting elsewhere, the gun factory for the secretly operating in Hummelstown.
Waymark Code: WMMZ07
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 11/26/2014
Views: 6
In Hummelstown, along Main Street, is this sign about the Revolutionary War gun factory.
The sign is on the north side of Main Street, a few blocks west of the center of the municipality.
The sign has the following text:
"Revolutionary War Gun Factory
-[]-
During the British occupation of Philadelpia, Pennsylvania's provisional government moved west and its official gun factory was established at Hummelstown. Secretly operating near here from 17777 to 1779. it mass-produced muskets and rifles for the Continental Army.
Pennsylvanial Historical and Museum Commission 2012"
A detailed account was found at americanlongrifles.org. Some highlights:
-The exact location of the gun factory is not well known. The source mentions that the area around the sign is a likely location. However, it is also likely that the factory could be nearer the Swatara Creek for a source of power.
-Making guns illegally carried a stiff penalty - death. So, secrecy was needed.
-The exact types of guns made here are not known.
-No guns from this factory are known to exist. Since the guns were made in secret, they were probably made without any markings.
Source:
openplaques.prg
(
visit link)
Americanlongrifles.org (Clandestine Hummelstown Factory):
(
visit link)