This early 18th century musket has a convex, "banana" lock with a bridle-less pan, a leaf frizzen spring finial, and a "GSB/rooster" maker's mark on the nose under the frizzen spring. This mark is shown on page 117 of "Der Neue Stockel" by Heer and noted as for Georg Sigmund Boessel of Suhl, circa 1680-1725. The barrel has a bayonet stud/front sight, thin band and then "wedding band" at the transition points, and "D 116," "178/8." and "13" in an oval marked at the breech. With the lock removed, a deep "IK" mark and a shallower "LB" in a heart mark are visible. The former is similar to marks 3431 and 3432 on page 664 of the above reference and noted as found on rifles from Zella c. 1748. The barrel tang is raised and grooved to act as a rear sight. The furniture is all iron. The trigger guard and buttplate finials have long bulbous spire designs similar to other German/Dutch muskets from the first half of the 18th century. The stock has some attractive flame figure, carved "teardrop" flats and barrel tang carving, "HM" and "YT" hand marked on the bottom of the butt, and an "HZ" in a circle marking at the toe along with the "GDM" markings from the collection of George D. Moller. It has an iron ramrod. A socket bayonet, tampion, and modern leather sling are also included. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Very good with mottled dark gray and brown patina, mild oxidation/pitting, and general mild wear on the iron. Some of the pins and the front sling swivel are replacements. The stock is also fine and has attractive flame figure, minor flakes at the edges, a few minor cracks, and general mild wear. Mechanically fine. The bayonet matches the metal condition.