Type I New England flintlock militia musketoons are described on pages 328-329 of George D. Moller's book "American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume II" with this exact musket pictured twice on page 328. The book states, "Because these musketoons were created by shortening existing New England militia muskets, they probably originated in one of the New England states. The alteration included the fitting of a large brass buttplate. Because similar, but larger, buttplates were also fitted to some muskets that had been issued to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and because most of the barrels of these musketoons are stamped with Massachusetts state proof marks, it is speculated that these musketoons were procured for or altered by one or more of the Massachusetts militia units, possibly for use aboard ship. However, at the time this alteration is believed to have been accomplished (sometime after 1840), only state-owned arms are known to have been in the hands of the Massachusetts militia. The lack of definitive information regarding the alteration and use of these musketoons means that they can be classified only as 'militia musketoons.'" Mounted in a walnut stock with brass fittings. "LONDON/WARRANTED" marked at the center of the imported English sporting style lock with roller frizzen. Engraving on the hammer and at the tail of the lock. A raised "P" in a sunken oval proof ahead of an "M" and above "LH 1826" is marked at the top left of the breech. "No 44" is inscribed in fancy script on the rear brass side plate. "44" is punch dotted on the inside of the lock. "GDM" (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Very good with mottled brown patina on the barrel and lock, scattered light pitting, and nice markings in the metal. Brass fittings retain an attractive golden aged patina. Stock is also very good with scattered scratches and minor chips, some chips/absent sections on both sides at the tip of the forend, a crack ahead of the rear lock screw, a crack below the rear of the left stock flat, chips and a crack behind the barrel tang, a crack behind the lock, a small hole in the left of the buttstock, and a few cracks at the top of the buttplate. Mechanically needs work, hammer gets stuck at half cock when the trigger is pulled.