Beschreibung:

An American-made, pin-fastened musket that conforms to those produced for Massachusetts Bay with an unmarked, 43" long, tapering round barrel of .72 bore, with top lug for bayonet set 1 - 1/2" from muzzle. The “banana-shaped”, unbridled lock appears to be of the British Pattern of 1730, 6 - 7/8" x 1 - 1/4", the plate convex in profile and with its maker and crown/ GR devices purposely effaced, although the Tower inspection mark remains under the pan. The ramrod is iron and original to the piece. The cast-brass mounts consisting of buttplate, trigger guard, rounded and tailed sideplate, thumbpiece and three ramrod pipes and ramrod tailpiece. There were originally three tubular ramrod pipes, each 1 - 13/16" long and made of heavy brass sheet, with three concentric, engraved border lines at each end, but the front pipe is now missing. The stock is of American cherry wood, the butt in classic British handrail form and the forestock with pronounced swell at the tailpiece and originally terminating within 3 - 1/2" - 4" of the muzzle. Its bayonet, although of British form, is probably American-made, the blade 13 - 1/8" long x 1" wide with a “70” engraved on the flat above the elbow join. The socket is 3 - 3/8" long and a 3-turn slot, the ring attachment rather crudely forged and the join has separated for approximately 3/4" to the right of the slot. CONDITION: The arm is in “attic” condition as found, the ironwork with light freckling and dark brownish-grey patina throughout (moderate pitting to the pan interior), while the brass mounts are a deep brownish-bronze in hue. Some light surface rust near the muzzle where the bayonet had been attached. The lock is in original flintlock configuration and in very good working order; the top jaw screw a later replacement. The cherry stock is original surface, now a deep, rich, reddish-brown. Approximately 2" of the forestock is missing near the muzzle, corresponding with the aforementioned missing front pipe. There is a light crack extending 3 - 1/2" from the front of the plate, a narrow splinter along the upper edge of the right forestock 6" forward of the lock and extending 12" (with 1/4" loss at its widest point), and a 4" crack just forward of the top pipe. PROVENANCE: Deaccessioned from the Essex Institute and sold to noted antiquarian William Guthman in 1979 (three Guthman Americana labels still attached to the left forestock, relating to its provenance); sold in 1988 to a Maryland collector, from whose estate this was recently acquired. JLK Name Value Accessories Barrel Length 43" Caliber/Bore .74 Smoothbore Drop at Comb Drop at Heel FFL Status Antique Length of Pull Manufacturer American Model Committee of Safety Flintlock Paperwork Serial Number NSN