Page 82 - Auction84-Book1

AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. II BY MOLLER
b
Collector’s Fact
One of fewer than approximately 100 Whitney Massachusetts contract 1812 muskets fitted with the rare brass buttplate.
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. II BY MOLLER
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. II BY MOLLER
80
LOT 150
Very Scarce Documented Whitney
Arms Company Massachusetts Militia Contract 1812 Flintlock Musket with Special Brass Buttplate and Massachusetts Marked Bayonet - Serial no. 12909, 69 cal., 41 7/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This is one of likely less than 100 of these Whitney Massachusetts Contract 1812 flintlock muskets fitted with the rare brass uttplate; 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. CONDITION: Very good with scattered light pitting overall and crisp markings in the metal. Brass buttplate retains an attractive golden aged patina. Stock is also very good with attractive raised grain and defined edges, scattered light scratches and dents, a few cracked sections in the ramrod channel, repaired cracked sections behind the lock, a repaired cracked section behind the barrel tang, some cracks around the buttplate, and defined markings on the left flat. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very fine with some light pitting. The sling is good with light cracking and a coating of old dried wax. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 151
Documented E. Waters & Co. Massachusetts State Contract 1808 Type Flintlock Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 69 cal., 44 1/2 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This musket is featured and discussed on pages 222 and 223 of “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume 2: From the 1790s to the End of the Flintlock Period” by George Moller. This musket was one of the 528 muskets delivered to the state of Massachusetts in 1814 through General Joseph Farnsworth who took over E. Waters & Co. in 1814. Parts of the upper line of the “P/PC” and “M/1814” markings noted by Moller remain visible on the breech end of the barrel, and the lock is marked “MILLBURY./1814.” It has a bayonet stud on the top of the barrel, a brass blade front side on the rear strap of the upper barrel band, a leather sling fitted to the swivels on the middle band and stud through the trigger guard finial, and a “V” marked socket bayonet (too tight to fit properly). “GDM” (George D. Moller) is marked ahead of the toe. CONDITION: Fine with gray and brown patina throughout, moderate pitting concentrated on the breech section, and mild overall wear. The stock is also fine and has mild dings and scratches and a crack a the lower right ahead of the buttplate. Mechanically fine. The leather sling is very good. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500 LOT 152 Documented War of 1812 State of Massachusetts Contract L. Pomeroy Flintlock Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 69 cal., 42 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Lemuel Pomeroy reportedly delivered 125 of these muskets on contract to the state of Massachusetts on August 12th, 1814 during the War of 1812. These muskets are described on pages 221-222 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume II” with this exact musket pictured on page 221. The first picture caption states, “The muskets Pomeroy delivered under his Massachusetts state contract were similar to those he had previously made for New York and those made at about the same time for Connecticut. Because his New York contract muskets were patterned after Whitney’s New York contract muskets, the salient distinguishing features of these Pomeroy muskets are their 42” barrels and locks equipped with brass pans.” It has a bayonet stud on top near the muzzle, brass blade front sight on the rear strap of the front barrel band, “MASS” ahead of “P/S.J.” and “M/1814” marked on the left breech end of the barrel, and “MASS” marked lock. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes an “MS” (Massachusetts) and “1778” marked socket bayonet and reproduction leather sling. CONDITION: Good with bright surfaces overall, mild flash pitting at the breech, slightly over sized flash hole, and some scattered light pitting overall. Stock is fine as re-oiled with some light scratches and dings, a repaired crack behind the lock, a crack ahead of the rear lock screw, and a few cracks around the buttplate. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is good with some scattered patches of moderate pitting and brown patina. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750