Page 81 - Auction84-Book1

LOT 147 Rare Revolutionary War Era German Hessian Type Flintlock Jaeger Rifle - NSN, 62 cal., 29 inch octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This German Jaeger rifle is visually similar to examples attributed as having been used by Hessians during the Revolutionary War. The Hessians consisted of approximately 30,000 German troops hired by the British to fight against the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, and a rifle such as this one could have possibly seen use with the Hesse-Hanau Freicorps, a group of elite soldiers skilled in the art of hunting. This early example has a right side mounted lock bar for a sword bayonet, of which it is believed the Hesse-Hanau Freicorps were the only unit of the Revolutionary War to use jaeger rifles equipped for use with sword bayonets (reference page 64 of the book, “British Military Flintlock Rifles 1740-1840” by De Witt Bailey). These short large caliber rifles were well suited for use in the woods with accuracy at long ranges, especially in the hands of the skilled German sharpshooters carrying them. Features seven-groove rifling, an iron ramrod, dovetail mounted brass blade front sight, flip-up V notch rear sight, and brass fittings. The lock is completely unmarked. Raised letters “V•H” in a sunken rectangle and “XXXXXVI” assembly marks underneath of the side plate. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a later leather sling, tools and extra flints in the patchbox. Reference page 226 of George C. Neumann’s book “Battle Weapons of the American Revolution” for a similar example pictured. CONDITION: Very good with smooth brown patina on the barrel, scattered light to moderate pitting overall, and gray/brown patina on the lock. Brass retains an attractive golden aged patina. Stock is also very good with numerous scattered scratches and dents evident of period use, a crack on the left behind the tip of the forend, a chip on the left around the rear barrel retaining pin, a crack ahead of the lock, and some chips on the front of the patchbox door. Mechanically excellent. As a rare example of a jaeger rifle attributed to use by one of the earliest elite sharpshooter units, this would make for a prized centerpiece in any early martial or Revolutionary War era collection! Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
Short Land New Pattern
“Brown Bess” Flintlock Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 75 cal., 42 inch
round bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. This musket is pictured and discussed on pages 226-230 of “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume 1: Colonial and Revolutionary War Arms” by George Moller and is noted as manufactured following the lock changes of 1777-1778. The front sight doubles as the stud for the included socket bayonet, and the barrel has Ordnance proofs on top at the breech The lock has a “crown/broad arrow” mark under the pan, the Georgian cipher at the center, “TOWER” on the tail, and “WG” and another “crown” mark on the inside of
the plate. The furniture is all brass, and the wrist escutcheon is inscribed with what appears to be
“TJ/60.” The stock has U.S. buttons inlaid into the sides of the butt and “GDM” (George D.
Moller) lightly stamped by the toe. It is equipped with a black leather sling.
CONDITION: Good as reconverted to flintlock configuration with some replaced
hardware such as the lock screws. The lock and barrel mostly display a smooth
artificial brown finish. The frizzen and cock have mild pitting and striking wear. The
brass furniture has attractive aged patina. The bayonet is good and has dark patina,
moderate oxidation/pitting, and generally moderate to heavy wear. The refinished stock is also good and has some chips and slivers absent at the edges, some thin cracks and repairs mainly on the forend, and smooth oiled finish. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 148
Documented Revolutionary War Era Attributed British
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. I BY MOLLER
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. I BY MOLLER
Documented Revolutionary War Era Liege Contract British Short Land New Pattern Flintlock Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 75 cal., 41 3/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. These Liege contract British Short Land New Pattern muskets are described on pages 375-378 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume I” with this exact musket pictured at the top of page 376, at the top of 377, and on 378. The picture caption at the top of page 377 states, “The lock of this Liege-made Short Land New Pattern musket is equipped with a frizzen spring with trefoil finial... there is no broad arrow marking under the pan. Although the cock is border engraved, the frizzen’s front face is not. “TOWER” marked vertically on the tail of the lock and the “crown/GR” Georgian cipher marked at the center of the lock. Raised letters “IG” in a sunken rectangle marked on top of the breech, attributed as the mark of Liege gunmaker Jean Gosvin. Features include a top mounted bayonet lug, iron ramrod, and brass fittings. Large initials “BMB” and PR” carved into the left of the buttstock. Small “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a socket bayonet (too tight, does not properly fit), and a later Swiss leather sling. CONDITION: Good with smooth brown patina overall, mild flash pitting, and crisp lock markings. Stock is also good as lightly sanded and re-oiled with numerous scattered scratches and chips, some filled in repaired chips, a crack ahead of the rear lock screw, a few cracks behind the side plate, scattered minor chips behind the lock, a crack behind the right of the barrel tang, a crack behind the lower tang, a long mild scratch on the left of the buttstock, and carvings as mentioned above. Mechanically fine. Included bayonet is good. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 149
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