William Reid covered the history of these muskets in his "1808 United States Contract Muskets" article for the "American Society of Arms Collectors" bulletin in 2004. He notes that concerns of renewed conflict with Britain thanks largely to British hostility towards American vessels at sea relating to the Napoleonic Wars as well as the British arming and supplying various Native American groups on the frontier that were hostile to the United States. Thus, in April 1808, Congress approved the purchase of muskets from contractors to supply the state militias. Nineteen different gunmakers were contracted to supply 85,200 muskets. William Henry, Jr. of Nazareth, Pennsylvania and his brother John Joseph of Philadelphia were contracted for 10,000 muskets. Like most of the other contractors, they did not complete their full contracted amount and only delivered around 4,500. The Henry muskets were based on the Harpers Ferry 1795 pattern. A brass front sight is mounted on the rear strap of the front barrel band, and the bayonet lug is on the bottom of the barrel. A proof with a raised eagle head over "P" is stamped at the breech end of the barrel. The lock plate is marked "J. HENRY/ PHILA." vertically behind the cock, and "eagle/ U.S." at center and has an integral rounded priming pan. The trigger guard has pointed finials, and an "H" is marked inside the trigger guard bow. The smooth straight grip stock is branded "MARYLAND" on the underside ahead of the trigger guard indicating this musket was designated for the Maryland militia, and an illegible inspector's cartouche is on the left flat. The button head ramrod is correct. The black leather sling is a reproduction. The lock is in its original flintlock configuration with "Z" and "Q" assembly marks on all parts and screws (except springs) external and internal.

Good with the metal cleaned and displaying mostly silver-gray patina and some light brown patina, faint pitting, some worn markings, and moderate wear. The sanded/refinished stock has some minor scratches and dents, partially worn away Maryland marking, and faint markings on the left flat. Mechanically fine.