Winfield M1873 Musket Bayonet
WINFIELD M1873 MUSKET BAYONET (See also, WINFIELD M1873) The first muskets date back to the early 16th century, when the design was favored for its ability to penetrate heavy armor. Though the original musket fell from favor as the use of such armor declined, the term continued to be used for any long-muzzled flintlock in the centuries that followed.
The popularity of Winfield's M1873 Musket design has been attributed by historians to a period of nostalgia for
simpler times among firearms enthusiasts, though one infamous researcher made notable fool of himself by claiming it was created specifically to counter a strange alleged new breed of creature appearing in various American backwaters - one whose papery, tough armor would necessitate such firepower. However, like many apostles of folklore before and after, he was discredited and went to his grave the laughingstock of his peers, and was certainly never employed by this fine publisher of encyclopedias, you can rest assured.
Journal of James Byrne
Handwritten, original
Incomplete, chronology could not be determined
2/?
I have met with Finch, and I fear I was correct. The man is mad. We met at the kind of dining establishment where I could not afford the price of a slice of bread - I was not wrong about his financial standings - and he got straight to the point. Immortal, was the word he used. Complete and utter madness.
I did not take him seriously, of course, but he met my laughter with a grim smile. He leaned back in his chair and simply watched my reaction to his words in silence as it progressed from mirth to confusion and back to mirth again. But I was determined to humor him. In exchange for patronage, I would be willing to overlook quite a lot of eccentricities, and I made light of his words.
But my mood changed when he admitted to having observed me for some time. Perhaps I should be thankful to know that one has enjoyed my performances so much, but instead I felt uneasy. There is something hard and serious in his eyes I do not like. I could not say why, but it was as if his gaze brought with it a cold draft of air that sent goosebumps up and down my arms.
He took my jokes in stride, but did not veer from his purpose. We are two of a kind, he said, and when I told him I did not see what we had in common, he told me I would in time. At that he laughed. "It took me many, many years to understand as well, "he said, then spoke of the wives he had buried before he had accepted his fate. I struggled to remain cordial, fearing the man a murderer or fiend, but my confusion was evident on my face, and caused him further mirth, and me then further confusion still. At that he called for the bill, leaving me alone to finish my meal, and saying we would meet again. In that moment I grew bolded, and spoke directly of the chance of patronage. More of a mentor, dear James, he said. More of a mentor.
And so I remain with no funds, evicted from my room, and without patronage. I have his card - he appears be employed at the asylum in Jackson - and have not lost hope in parting him from a few coins. Tonight I will set out for the Bayou. Aidan mentioned there were many empty houses there, and perhaps I can find one suited to shelter me for a few nights.
