Page 90 - Auction84-Book1
P. 90

 LOT 178
Scarce Delaware Marked U.S. Nippes/Westphal Flintlock Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 69 cal., 44 1/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. State of Delaware flintlock muskets are described on pages 212-213 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume II”, in which it states, “U.S. archival records show that the federal government sold two lots of muskets to the state of Delaware in 1812. These were clearly identified as sales to the state, not as issues under the U.S. Militia Act of 1808... Fifty-five of these muskets were delivered by Abraham Nippes, and 550 were delivered by Charles Westphal... Known examples of muskets attributed to this sale to Delaware are of the U.S. 1808 contract, Harpers Ferry configuration.” This example is stamped “WESTPHAL” on the left stock flat. “DELAWARE” is stamped on the right of the stock wrist and on the right of the buttstock. “NIPPES/&CO/PHILA” marked at the tail of the lock and an “eagle/U.S.” marked at the center. The top of the barrel is marked with a raised “P” in a sunken oval. An asterisk ahead of “HW” is carved upside down into the left of the buttstock. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a socket bayonet marked “XX” at the base of the blade, and a reproduction leather sling. CONDITION: Very good with mottled brown patina on the barrel and fittings, dark brown patina on the lock with moderate pitting, and scattered light pitting overall. Stock is also very good with some scattered dents and scratches, a few scattered chips, a minor chip at the front of the lock, some chips around the sides of the buttplate tang, and carving as mentioned above. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is also good with brown patina and scattered light pitting. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500 LOT 179 Documented Eli Whitney New Haven Fourth Connecticut State Contract Flintlock Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 69 cal., 42 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This is one of approximately 700 muskets delivered by the end of 1814 under Eli Whitney’s 1812 dated contract with the state of Connecticut. These Connecticut fourth contract muskets are described on pages 208-209 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume II” with this exact musket pictured on both pages. The picture caption on the bottom of page 208 states, “Muskets attributed to Whitney’s fourth contract with the State of Connecticut are generally similar to those delivered under his previous contracts, except for lock markings. Their stocks’ left breech flats are stamped with the Connecticut state shield.” Features include a top mounted bayonet stud, brass blade front sight on the rear strap of the front barrel band, “N. HAVEN.” in a banner marked at the center of the lock, small mating marks on all internal and external parts of the lock, and a faint Connecticut state shield marked on the left stock flat. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a socket bayonet (does not properly fit) and period leather sling. CONDITION: Good with mottled dark patina overall, scattered light pitting, and moderate pitting on the hammer. Stock is also good with scattered light scratches and general overall wear, a crack/chip running between the front of the lock and trigger guard finial, a chip/crack behind the lock, a minor crack behind the barrel tang, a crack ahead of the buttplate tang, and a chip at the toe. Mechanically fine. Included bayonet is good with scattered moderate pitting, sling is also good with moderate cracking and age related wear. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750 LOT 180 Scarce Documented State of New York Marked Robert Johnson U.S. Contract Model 1814 Flintlock Rifle - NSN, 54 cal., 33 1/2 inch part octagon bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. Robert Johnson Model 1814 U.S. contract rifles are described on pages 404-407 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III” with this exact rifle pictured on pages 404, 405, and 406. According to page 404, “In November 1814. Robert D. Johnson of Middletown, Connecticut, contracted to deliver 2,000 rifles to the United States at $17 each, over a five-year period.” Actual delivery dates are shown from March of 1816 through June of 1819. Henry Deringer of “Philadelphia Deringer” fame manufactured a similar amount. These rifles were the predecessors of the more numerous Model 1817 “Common Rifles”. The Model 1814 can be quickly identified by its shorter and part octagon barrel as well as the smaller “stud” style retainers for the barrel bands. It has a dovetailed brass blade front sight, dovetailed notch rear sight, “R.JOHNSON/US” marked at the center of the lock, “SNY” (faint) State of New York marked on top of the breech behind what appears to be a condemnation mark, “P/US” marked on the upper left flat at the breech, “JJB” inspection initials marked in the stock behind the lower tang, browned iron furniture, and a full-length stock with shallow cheek rest. “XIXXX” is carved into the left stock flat, and “IX” is carved into the right of the stock behind the wrist. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a Watervliet Arsenal leather sling and tools in the patchbox. CONDITION: Good as reconverted to flintlock configuration with file marks around the touch hole, a mix of brown and gray patina overall, some patches of corrosion, and scattered light to moderate pitting. Stock is good with scattered scratches and dents, various chips around the middle and rear barrel bands, a crack ahead of the rear lock screw, chips behind the lock, chips around the barrel tang, carvings as mentioned above, and some cracks between the patchbox and buttplate. Mechanically excellent. Included sling is very good with light cracking and age related wear. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 181
Documented War of 1812 Era Massachusetts Marked French & Kinsley U.S. 1808 Contract Flintlock Musket - Serial no. 4370, 69 cal., 44 7/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Thomas French, Blake and Adam Kinsley were awarded a U.S. government contract for 4,000 muskets on October 20th, 1808; all of which are believed to have been delivered between 1810-1814. This exact musket is pictured twice and described on page 172 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume II” in which the second picture caption states, “The stock’s left breech flat of this French, Blake & Kinsley 1808 U.S. contract musket is stamped with U.S. Inspector Charles Williams’s
acceptance cartouche of ‘V’ over ‘CW.’ The barrel is stamped with the ‘US’ federal ownership mark and with the proof mark of a raised eagle’s head over ‘CT’ in a sunken oval and with a ‘V,’ believed to mean ‘viewed,’ or visually inspected. The federal government subsequently issued this musket to Massachusetts under the provisions of the 1808 U.S. Militia Act, where the barrel is stamped ‘to MS.’‘MS’ was also stamped into the stock’s left breech flat, below the federal acceptance cartouche.” The lock is marked with an “eagle/US” above “T. FRENCH” at the center and “CANTON/1813” at the tail. The left
breech end of the barrel is marked “US to MS”. Massachusetts armorer applied serial number “4370” marked on top of the barrel in the opening between the two straps of the front barrel band. “F. BLAKE” marked on top of the stock ahead of the buttplate. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a reproduction leather sling. CONDITION: Very good with smooth mottled brown patina overall, moderate flash pitting, a slightly enlarged touch hole, and crisp markings in the metal. Stock is fine with mostly defined edges, scattered dents and scratches, a crack ahead of the both of the lock screws, some chips around the barrel tang, a large absent chipped section around the rear of the lock, a crack behind the aforementioned chipped section, a chip at the tip of the comb, some white paint on the left of the buttstock, a crack to the right of the buttplate, and crisp markings in the wood. Mechanically fair. 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
   AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. III BY MOLLER
     88
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. II BY MOLLER
 
























































































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