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LOT 329
State of New York Marked U.S. Springfield Model 1795 Type I Flintlock Musket Dated 1803 - NSN, 69 cal., 44 3/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The Model 1795 is historically significant as the first official standardized U.S. martial arm and the first firearms manufactured at the U.S. armories. The Model 1795 was based on the French Model 1766 widely used during the Revolution, and was the main infantry arm of the War of 1812. This musket has the correct Type I markings and features, and is dated “1803” on the buttplate tang. It has the second style of lock marking (c. 1802-1803) with horizontal “SPRINGFIELD” in a downward curve behind the hammer, and at the center of the lock is the shielded eagle looking to it’s left above a script “US”. Appears to be in original flintlock configuration. Note the distinctive curls on the frizzen toe and top jaw guide used on the Type I muskets. The barrel has the standard proof and inspection marks at the breech including a State of New York mark “SNY” on top. “21” marked on the upper tang. A five pointed “star” over a script “US” is marked on the left stock flat. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes leather sling. CONDITION: Good with scattered mild oxidation and pitting, defined lock markings, and mostly legible barrel markings. Stock has numerous scratches and dings, and some flakes, chips, and cracks in the otherwise good refinished wood. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
LOT 330
Fine U.S. Springfield Model 1816 Type III Flintlock Musket with Bayonet -
NSN, 69 cal., 42 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Springfield Type III Model 1816 muskets were manufactured between 1831-1844. The Model 1816 Musket was the primary infantry long arm during the Mexican War and many of these muskets were converted to percussion in the 1850s, making flintlock examples like this desirable. They were extensively issued during the first few years of the Civil War. The lock plate is marked “SPRING/FIELD/1831” behind the hammer and “eagle/shield/U.S.” at center. The barrel tang is dated “1832”. Casehardened lock and the remaining components finished brown. According to page 426 of the book “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume II” by George D. Moller, “In 1832, Springfield Armory fabricated 10,200 brown-finished muskets, and the remaining 3,400 muskets were finished national armory bright.” Includes a socket bayonet and leather sling. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% original brown finish with some light muzzle wear, light scratches, and light flash pitting. Lock turned to a gray patina. Sharp markings on the barrel and lock. Stock is fine as lightly sanded and re-oiled with some light handling marks, a small crack ahead of the buttplate tang, and slightly undersized butt. Mechanically excellent. The bayonet is very fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 331
Fine Whitney Arms Company First Contract U.S. Model 1816/22 Flintlock Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 69 cal., 42 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Approximately 15,000 of these first contract Model 1816 muskets with 1822 improvements were manufactured by Philo and Eli Whitney Blake, nephews of Eli Whitney and under his existing U.S. contract of August 5th, 1822. Eli Whitney was originally to start delivery of his first contract of Model 1816 muskets in 1824, but suffered from illness and eventually died in January of 1825. Prior to his death, Eli’s nephews had entered into a contract with him to run the factory and took over all operations. The U.S. Government extended the first delivery deadline until January of 1826. The lock with a removable brass pan is marked “U.S/P.&E.W. BLAKE.” at center and “NEW
HAVEN/1826” vertically behind the hammer. “1826” dated barrel tang. “U.S./J.C./P” (James Carrington, inspector) marked at the breech. Smooth, straight grip stock with ramrod. Oval script “JC” inspection cartouche marked on the left stock flat. “JA” inspector initials marked in the stock behind the lower tang. “U.S.” marked buttplate tang. An “X” is carved into the right of the buttstock. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a US socket bayonet marked “S/55” and a reproduction leather sling. CONDITION: Fine, retaining mostly bright surfaces with some scattered patches of light pitting, moderate pitting on the hammer, and crisp lock markings. Stock is very fine with attractive original raised grain, defined edges, some scattered dents and handling marks, a small hairline crack ahead of the rear lock screw, a crack ahead of the lock, a filled in circular section on either side of the buttstock, carving as mentioned above, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very fine with crisp edges and some very light pitting. Provenance: The George Moller Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 3,250 - 4,500 LOT 332 Scarce South Carolina Marked Whitney U.S. Model 1816/22 Flintlock Musket - NSN, 69 cal., 42 1/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The smoothbore barrel has a bayonet lug on top, “S. CAROLINA” followed by “US/AH/P” at the breech, an “H” and possibly other now faded markings on the left at the breech, and “1832” on the tang. The lock has “U.S/crossed arrow and branch/E. WHITNEY” at center and “NEW/HAVEN/1833” at the rear. The stock has an oval cartouche on the left flat and another cartouche ahead of the buttplate tang which is marked “US”. CONDITION: Very good with a mix of brown and silver gray patina overall, some mild oxidation and pitting, and general mild overall wear. The stock is also very good and has some loss at the breech on the right, faint crack at the breech on the left, mild scrapes and dings, some insect holes, and general mild wear. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 333
R. & J.D. Johnson U.S. Contract Model 1817 Flintlock “Common Rifle” Dated 1826 - NSN, 54 cal., 36 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Model 1817 “Common Rifle” was one of the world’s first widely issued military rifles and was manufactured by multiple American contractors in 1817 to 1840. R. & J.D. Johnson were the contractors that produced the smallest number of these rifles: only around 3,060 of the 39,067 manufactured per George Moller on pages 448 of “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume II: From the 1790s to the End of the Flintlock Period.” Many of these rifles were also converted to percussion in the 1840s and after and used into the Civil War era. It has seven groove rifling with small rounded grooves, a ring on the muzzle face, the standard blade and notch sights, “US/AH/P” on the breech end of the barrel, “J” on the left flat at the breech, “1826” dated on the barrel tang, “U.S./R & JD.JOHNSON” surrounding an eagle with shield at the center of the lock under the non-fenced brass flash pan, “1826/MIDDN CONN.” on the tail of the lock, and the distinctive oval patch box. The ramrod has a proper brass tip. CONDITION: Good with scattered areas of light to moderate pitting, and sharp lock and barrel markings. The stock is very good with scattered dents and scratches, some chips and a period repaired small section to the left of the buttplate tang. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,300 - 1,900 261