This is one of likely less than 100 of these Whitney Massachusetts Contract 1812 flintlock muskets fitted with the rare brass buttplate; sometimes erroneously referred to as a "Sea Fencible Musket" and/or a "Navy contract". These Massachusetts muskets with special brass buttplates are described on pages 233-236 of George D. Moller's book "American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume II", with this exact musket pictured on pages 233, 234, and twice on 235. The first picture caption states, "This Whitney 1812 U.S. contract musket was issued to Massachusetts pursuant to the provisions of the 1808 U.S. Militia Act in the mid-1820s. Sometime after its receipt by that state, its original iron buttplate was replaced by a large brass butt plate. No records of this alteration have been found in the Massachusetts state records, and it is not known by what authority or for what purpose this alteration was performed, but it probably was performed after 1840." Features include a top mounted bayonet stud, brass blade front sight on the rear strap of the front barrel band, Massachusetts armorer applied serial number "12909" marked on top of the barrel in between the two straps of the front barrel band, "MS" Massachusetts state ownership mark on the ramrod and on the left quarter of the breech, a raised "P" in a sunken oval proof at the top of the breech, "N. HAVEN." in a banner marked at the center of the lock, small mating marks on various internal and external parts of the lock, and "V" over an oval script "LS" (Luther Sage) inspection cartouche and "MS" ownership mark on the left stock flat. Rack number "45" marked on the buttplate tang. "GDM" (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a socket bayonet wearing serial number "12274" and an "MS" ownership mark on the socket and period leather sling. Provenance: The George Moller Collection