U.S. Model 1808 Contract Musket from the lot of 4270 Springfield Armory pattern muskets manufactured by Elijah and Asa Waters of Sutton, Massachusetts. The musket is finished "National Armory Bright" with a oil finished walnut stock with high, fluted, comb. The lock plate is pointed at one end and has an integral iron flash pan. The hammer is flat-faced with a reinforced cock. The trigger guard has rounded finials with the lower sling swivel mounted on a separate stud. The barrel bands are secured with springs located below the bands. The lock is stamped with the horizontal date "1812" behind the hammer and a eagle and shield motif with "US" in an oval above "SUTTON" in front of the hammer. An oval, indented, proofmark is stamped on the upper left side of the barrel and two deeply indented inspection or property marks are stamped on the lower left side of the barrel just above the stock line. A two-letter inspection mark is located on the left stock flat.

Fine. The musket remains in the original flintlock configuration. The bright finish on the barrel has aged to a deep brown patina and the lock and hammer have a mottled, gray-brown patina. There is very little flash pitting around the flash hole and adjacent areas of the barrel, lock and hammer. The lock and barrel markings are clear. The stock is in very fine condition with sharp edges and only minor handling wear. This is a very good example of an original, un-modified, Waters 1808 Contract Flintlock Musket.