Page 88 - Auction84-Book1

LOT 170
Very Scarce Documented U.S. Springfield Model 1840 Flintlock Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 69 cal., 42 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The Model 1840 was
the last flintlock musket manufactured by the Springfield Armory between 1840-1844, and 26,841 of the 30,421 were converted to percussion between 1849-1851, and more converted after, making examples in original flintlock configuration exceedingly rare. The Model 1840 musket is described on pages 487-492 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume II” with this exact musket pictured on pages 488, 489, and 490. An “eagle/US” mark is at the center of the lock and “SPRING/FIELD/1841” on the tail of the lock, various parts inside the lock are marked with single digit assembly markings, “V/P/eagle head” proofs on the left of the breech, “1841” dated barrel tang, oval script “JM” (Justin Murphy) and “TW” (Thomas Warner) inspection cartouches marked on the left flat, and “US” marked buttplate tang. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a US socket bayonet and period leather sling. CONDITION: Very good with scattered light pitting mixed with dark patina overall, and sharp markings on the lock and barrel. Stock is also very good with nice raised grain, scattered scratches and dings, a crack ahead of the lock, a crack behind the lock, some chips behind the barrel tang, some chips at the toe, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very fine with sharp edges, sling is very good with light cracking. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 171 Type II Cadet Alteration U.S. Springfield Model 1807 Flintlock “Indian Carbine” - NSN, 54 cal., 33 3/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Springfield Armory manufactured 1,202 .54 caliber smooth bore flintlock carbines for the Indian Department between 1807 and 1810. The Model 1807 Carbine was the first U.S. arsenal made carbine. The carbines were intended as gifts for the Native American tribes, but only a few hundred were initially distributed given 950 were still in storage at Springfield in 1830 and 690 still remained in 1848. According to page 362 of the book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume II” by George D. Moller, “In response to a request for cadet arms by E. A. Hitchcock, commandant of the Corps of Cadets at West Point, on January 24, 1830, Chief of Ordnance Colonel Bomford ordered Springfield Armory Superintendent Roswell Lee to alter Indian carbines ‘as to receive bayonets.’” Reportedly, 321 Model 1807s were altered for cadet use in total with two types of alterations observed, including 31 Type Is delivered in 1830 and 290 Type IIs delivered in 1832. Model 1807 Carbines are extremely rare in any configuration. The lock plate has beveled edges, a teat at the tail, “US” in script over the federal eagle and shield emblem
and “SPRINGFIELD” in an arch at the center and “1808” at the tail. The buttplate is also dated “1808”. “US” marked at the top of the breech and “P/eagle head/V” proofs on the left of the breech. The furniture is all brass including a small oval thumb plate. It has a pin fastened stock, and the wooden ramrod has a flared brass tip. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. CONDITION: Fair as reconverted to flintlock configuration with brown patina overall and extensive moderate pitting visible on the lock and barrel, a mix of bright and aged patina on the brass furniture, and general moderate wear. Stock is good as lengthened, lightly sanded and re-oiled with light scratches and dings, a crack ahead of the lock, a chip behind the lock, a small crack ahead of the rear lock screw, cracks ahead of the trigger guard, two cracks on the right of the buttplate, and slightly undersized at the buttplate. Mechanically fair. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 172
Fine Documented Henry Osborne Variant Armory Pattern Flintlock Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 69 cal., 42 1/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. These armory variant muskets, manufactured by Henry Osborne of Springfield, Massachusetts, are described on pages 227-230 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume II” with this exact musket pictured on page 227 and twice on page 228. The first picture caption on page 227 states, “This variant armory pattern privately owned militia musket is attributed to Henry Osborne. It has very lightly
proportioned Model 1795-style furniture and a rifle-size lock.” It is speculated that the lock fitted in this rifle may have been made at Springfield Armory with intention for the Harpers Ferry Model 1803 rifles, and may have been purchased by Osborne as surplus or salvage in a half finished state. “US” above an eagle and shield motif marked at the center of the lock. “SPRINGFIELD” behind a deep diamond-shaped condemnation mark on top of the breech, and “eagle head/P” proofs on the left quarter of the breech. All iron mountings finished bright. Trigger guard attached to the trigger guard plate with sling swivel mounted in the front, iron ramrod with button head and mounted with a full walnut stock secured by three barrel bands held by band springs. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes an ill-fitting socket bayonet and Watervliet Arsenal leather sling. CONDITION: Fine with a mix of smooth brown and gray patina overall, some light pitting, and crisp markings on the barrel and lock. Stock is also fine with defined edges, scattered light scratches, a few minor chips, a crack ahead of the rear lock screw, and a 4 1/2 inch crack on the left ahead of the buttplate. Mechanically fine. Included bayonet is good with defined edges, brown patina overall and scattered light to mild patches of pitting, sling is very good with light cracking and age related wear. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 173
State of Virginia Contract Brown Bess Short Land Pattern Style Swan-Imported Germanic Flintlock Musket with 72nd Virginia Regimental Markings - NSN, 67 cal., 42 3/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. These Virginia contract Swan-imported Brown Bess style muskets are described on pages 272-275 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume II” in which a similar example is pictured on page 273 next to a caption that states, “The muskets delivered under contract by Colonel James Swan to Virginia in 1799 and 1800 were probably fabricated in one of the northern German states near Hamburg. These muskets were loosely configured to pattern muskets made in Virginia, based on the British Short Land Pattern musket.” Page 273 of the book also states, “In December 1824, 4,015 of these muskets were in storage at the state’s armory. They were described as brass-mounted muskets with bores somewhat smaller than the standard .69 caliber. In 1833 many of these muskets were broken up and sold for scrap.” Faintly marked with Virginia Regimental markings on top of the barrel at the breech that appears to read “72 Va. REGa. RUSSELL.” in reference to the 72nd Virginia Regiment, which was based out of Russell County, Virginia. The lock is unmarked besides a small “TF” in between the spring. Added layer on the rear surface of the frizzen. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a period leather sling. CONDITION: Good with brown patina overall, scattered light pitting, moderate flash pitting, and some scattered dings at the breech. Brass retains an attractive golden aged patina. Stock is good as sanded and re-oiled with general overall wear, numerous scattered scratches, dents, chips, cracks, and slightly undersized at the edges. Mechanically needs work, the hammer will only stay back in half cock. Included sling is very good with some light cracking. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
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
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