Manufactured in 1903, this musket is a third model with integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrations at the rear. This musket may have been part of the group of 700 muskets noted from the 569,000-571,000 serial number range that were shipped to Central America in September 1903 and were apparently never issued and were re-imported to the United States in the late 1950s in near new, un-fired condition. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line address/King's patent marking ahead of the rear sight and the caliber marking at the breech. The model designation is marked on the upper tang, and the serial number is on the lower, with the caliber designation repeated on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. It has the distinctive 30 inch barrel fitted with a block base blade front sight/bayonet lug and a military pattern folding ladder rear sight. It is mounted with the full length forearm that is retained with three barrel bands and a straight grip stock with sling swivels on the middle and the bottom of the buttstock, which is fitted with a trapdoor military pattern buttplate containing an included five-piece cleaning rod. Provenance: Property of a Distinguished Southern Clergyman

Very fine, retains 85% plus of the original blue finish, 70% of the original case colors, and 95% plus of the original nitre blue on the loading gate with some scattered patches of brown patina accompanied by some light pitting. There is a protective coat of varnish overall. The wood is fine with some scattered minor dings and compression dents. Mechanically excellent.