Page 87 - Auction84-Book1

LOT 167
Very Scarce 1794
U.S. Contract Flintlock Musket with Ketland “UNITED STATES” Marked Lock and
Bayonet - NSN, 69 cal., 44 5/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. 1794 U.S. contract muskets were manufactured utilizing a mix of American-made and foreign parts and generally resemble the French Model 1766 muskets; some of these 1794 muskets were equipped with these Ketland “UNITED STATES” marked locks, and others were equipped with French Model 1766 locks. These 1794 U.S. contract muskets equipped with Ketland locks are described on pages 132-135 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume II” in which states on page 132, “The locks were purchased with the same 1794 congressional appropriation as the muskets and the other components procured during this period. These locks are sometimes the only identifying feature of otherwise-unmarked muskets attributed to 1794 U.S. contracts.” Page 133 has a similar example pictured next to the caption, “Because this musket is equipped with a Ketland ‘UNITED STATES’ lock imported in 1797, and because it does not have barrel proof marks (which are believed to have been used starting in mid-1799), this musket is attributed to manufacture under the 1794 U.S. contract sometime in the 1797 to mid-1798 period.” It has a top mounted bayonet stud and brass blade front sight mounted on the rear strap of the front barrel band, sunken oval “eagle head/P” proof on the left of the breech, a partial “US” on top of the breech, “UNITED/STATES” marked vertically at the tail of the lock, “KETLAND” marked on the inside of the lock, and a small “x” above a large “V” marked on the left stock flat indicating this musket was made in either Maryland or Pennsylvania and originally delivered to Schuylkill Arsenal. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a period leather sling and socket bayonet marked “CM*” on the blade. CONDITION: Good with mostly bright surfaces, some scattered light pitting on the barrel and fittings, scattered moderate pitting on the lock, and nice lock markings. Stock is good as sanded and re-oiled with scattered dents and scratches, numerous chips including some ahead of the left flat and behind the barrel tang, numerous cracks including around the bands and behind the lock, an absent section at the right tip of the forend, and slightly undersized at the buttstock. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is fair with scattered mild pitting. The sling is very good. A very scarce 1794 U.S. contract musket that would make a fine addition to any U.S. martial collection! Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 168
Very Scarce Documented 1794 U.S. Contract James Nicholson Flintlock Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 69 cal., 44 3/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. These 1794 U.S. contract muskets were manufactured utilizing a mix of American-made and foreign parts and generally resemble the French Model 1766 muskets. This example is one of around 354 muskets manufactured by James Nicholson of Philadelphia, circa 1795-1801. This musket is pictured and identified in George D. Moller’s “American Military Shoulder Arms, Vol. II” on pages 135-137. According to Moller, “This musket is attributed to manufacture by James Nicholson under his 1794 U.S. contract. Many of the metal components used in this musket were salvaged from French Model 1773 and Model 1776 muskets, and a few appear to have been fabricated by Nicholson.” Moller continued, “The French Model 1773 lock is marked indicating manufacture at Saint Etienne and is stamped ‘US’ at the tail. ‘IN’ is stamped in 5/16” block letters in the right side of the buttstock. This mark is attributed to James Nicholson.” The left stock flat is stamped with an “x/V,” a marking used from circa 1798 on muskets delivered to the Maryland-Pennsylvania area. Moller also notes that the trigger guard bow is from a French Model 1773 musket and the trigger plate and side plate are from a French Model 1766 musket. The side plate has been narrowed to fit this musket. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a modern leather sling and a period socket bayonet marked “No. 697.” CONDITION: Good. The metal surfaces are mostly a smooth dark patina with minor-moderate pitting. The stock is also good with a few cracks between the middle and rear barrel bands and minor dings and scratches. The bayonet is fair with an overall dark patina and pitting. Mechanically fine. A very scarce U.S. contract musket that is missing from even the most advanced American military collections. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,000
LOT 169 Scarce Owen Evans U.S. 1798 Contract Flintlock Musket - NSN, 75 cal., 44 inch round bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. Scarce example of one of the approximately 1,001 muskets delivered for federal contract by Owen Evans of Montgomery, Pennsylvania from 1799-1805. It follows the standard 1794/1798 contract pattern, originally being finished bright with a low-comb walnut stock, barrel band springs located behind the bands, bayonet lug on top of the barrel, and sling swivels on the trigger guard plate and middle barrel band. This example was later browned during the period of use. The lock is flat with beveled edges and marked “EVANS/US” vertically at the tail. The barrel has a sunken “eagle head/P” proof on the upper left. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection mark is on the toe. With reproduction leather sling. CONDITION: Very good, showing mostly a mixture of a period applied brown finish and brown patina, with a few areas worn to a bright grey patina, and some light pitting scattered throughout. There is a moderate ding in the muzzle that has been filed smooth. The sanded and re-oiled wood is fine with some minor dings and chips scattered throughout. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. II BY MOLLER
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