Page 178 - 4091-BOOK3

176
LOT 3293
Exceptional British W.J. King Commercial India Pattern Third Model Brown Bess Flintlock Musket - NSN, 75 cal., 39 1/4 inch round bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. This exceptional third model “India pattern” commercial Brown Bess musket was manufactured by William James King of Birmingham, who is listed as an active gunmaker in Birmingham at 8 Whittall Street between circa 1824- 1837. There are a few other known examples of these W.J. King made muskets, and they all seem to be in a high state of condition, indicating they all likely spent most of their lifespan near each other in storage. These were possibly made for private sale to officers or a private company, with a high level of fit and finish. Features a bayonet lug/front sight near the muzzle, Birmingham proofs at the breech, “W*J/KING” at the center of the lock, “WARRANTED” at the tail of the lock, “KING” marked on the underside of the lock, brass furniture, and nicely figured walnut stock. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 85% original brown finish on the barrel with a few light scratches, a smooth dark gray patina on the lock, attractive bright golden patina on the brass, and distinct markings and edges in the metal overall. The stock is very fine, with some occasional scattered small insect holes from storage, some light dents and handling marks, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Overall, a highly attractive commercial Third Model Brown Bess that would be very difficult to improve upon! Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 3294
Revolutionary War Era American Brown Bess Short Land Pattern Style Flintlock Musket - NSN, 75 cal., 42 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. These muskets attributed to a Committee/Council of Safety are discussed in “American Military Shoulder Arms- Volume I: Colonial and Revolutionary War Arms” by George D. Moller, “Muskets of the Revolution and French & Indian Wars” by Bill Ahearn, and “Gunsmiths of Maryland” by Daniel D. Hartzler and James B. Whisker. The wrist escutcheons secured with a convex screw are noted as an identifying feature along with the “SS” marking on the left at the breech. Where these muskets were made and used has not been firmly identified, but Moller noted that his example may have been for Maryland or made in Connecticut. Ahearn notes that Norm Flayderman found two of the “SS” marked muskets still owned by the State of Connecticut since the Revolution and that “the only documented Committee of Safety gunmaker whose initials seem to fit the letters was Shubabel Sever of
Framingham, Massachusetts.” Regardless of the specifics of where and when it was made, this musket is a significant example of an early American made copy of the British Short Land Pattern Musket widely used in the American Revolution. The smoothbore barrel is .75 caliber with a bayonet stud that doubles as the front sight, deeply sunk “SS” marking on the left at the breech (same as shown by Ahearn), and turned rings at the breech end. The underside of the barrel at the breech is roughly filed to fit the lock. The lock has no visible external markings, but there is a crude “K” shaped marking on the inside. It has a swan-neck cock, removable iron pan with a short fence and a bridle, and internal bridle. The furniture is brass. The front ramrod pipe, flat side plate, trigger guard, and buttplate are all Brown Bess style while the forend tip has a sheet brass band, and the middle ramrod pipe and entry pipe are simpler. The side plate appears to have had a scratched marking, and “SK” is marked inverted on the left side of the walnut buttstock. Includes a reproduction buff leather sling fitted to the swivels in the forend and trigger guard and an iron ramrod. CONDITION: Very good with mostly gray patina on the lock and barrel along with patches of minor oxidation/pitting, aged patina on the furniture, and general mild overall wear. The stock is very good and has general scrapes and dings, section absent on the left side of the forend at the tip, crack at the rear lock screw, and moderate overall wear. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500 LOT 3295 Late 19th Century Barnett Flintlock Northwest Trade Gun - NSN, 24 gauge, 42 1/4 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The Northwest trade gun was widely used from the 18th century until late in the 1800s as shown by this 1875 dated example. Throughout their long period of use, these multi-purpose smoothbores remained largely unchanged and were used in nearly every significant North American conflict of the 18th and 19th century by Native Americans and some white and Metis traders. For example, late production trade guns like this are known to have been used in considerable numbers during the Battle of Little Bighorn the year after this gun was manufactured. Flintlock trade guns remained popular well after the introduction of the percussion system since flints were often more readily available. Muzzle loading guns remained in use until the end of the 19th century by Native Americans for similar reasons; loose ball and powder was easier to come by in remote regions than metallic cartridges, and they were easier to repair. The smoothbores of most trade guns meant that they could be used with a variety of projectiles including shot loads for small game, buck shot for larger game, and large round ball or buck and ball loads for warfare. This example has a part round/part octagon smooth bore barrel. The barrel has an iron front sight and no rear sight as is standard. The lock has an integral iron pan, reinforced cock, and bridled frizzen. The trigger guard is the over-sized iron style usually seen on trade guns and has tear drop shaped finials at either end. The full length stock is pin fastened and has two brass ramrod pipes, the distinctive brass serpent side plate, and a flat brass buttplate secured by flat headed screws. The barrel tang, rear of the lock plate, and side plate have relief-carved tear drops. The hardwood ramrod has a brass tip. The lock plate is stamped with the vertical date “BARNETT/LONDON/1875” behind the cock and the sitting fox over “EB” (Edward Bond) stamp below the pan and on the top barrel flat at the breech. These markings are commonly found on trade guns manufactured for the Hudson Bay Company from 1790 to the 1890s. The barrel also has a “JEB” maker’s mark, flag, and London proofs. John Edward Barnett was part of a long line of London gun makers. Many members of the family manufactured trade guns for the colonial trade including the various fur companies. They supplied the Northwest Company and then Hudson Bay Company from 1842 to 1875. The trade had slowed tremendously by mid-century making extremely late examples like this rare. CONDITION: Fine with a mottled gray and brown patina overall, some light oxidation and pitting, and generally fairly light wear. The stock is also fine and has a crackled protective varnish finish, a minor crack at the tail of the lock, small flake by the barrel tang, and mostly limited storage type wear. Mechanically fine. This is a very attractive example of a traditional Northwest Trade Gun in from just before the Battle of Little Bighorn. It is difficult to find these Native American trade guns in original flintlock configuration and solid condition. Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500