This musket was manufactured at the Virginia Manufactory in Richmond for the State of Virginia to arm their militia from 1812-1821. The lock is marked "VIRGINIA/Manufactory" at center and "RICHMOND/1818" at the tail, and has the late style brass pan. The band springs are in front of the middle and lower barrel bands which is correct for this period. "44" or "4" are stamped on most of the various components. The buttstock is stamped "COL. E.B. TYLER." along with a faint cartouche near the rear finial of the trigger guard. Colonel Erastus Bernard Tyler helped recruit the 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment at the outbreak of the Civil War and was elected their first colonel. He was later promoted to Brigadier General and commanded a brigade at the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. Initially the 7th Ohio was armed with percussion converted Model 1812 muskets before being issued Springfield Model 1861 rifled-muskets on 5 July 1862. The vast majority of these Richmond manufactured muskets were converted to percussion and employed by the Confederacy at the outbreak of the war; it is possible that this piece was captured or later added to Tyler's collection. Tagged as formerly being part of the Weller Collection of Princeton, New Jersey.

Very good, showing mostly bright finish, areas of varnish, some patches of brown patina and grey patina mixed with some pitting at the muzzle. Storage grease residue throughout. The lightly sanded and reoiled wood is very fine with some scattered minor dings, some chipping along the ramrod and barrel channels, and a hairline crack near the rear lock screw. Mechanically excellent.