Item Description
Original Item: One-of-a-kind. During the early years of the British Colonies in America, there was little manufacturing capability available domestically, so items such as firearms, swords, and so forth were imported. Much came from England, but other European countries were also happy to supply the new and expanding market. During the French and Indian War, and even in the later American Revolutionary War, many of weapons used were of European manufacture.
This excellent example is of the Dutch origin, with an later pattern flat lock plate with beveled sides, as introduced after 1720. It has been fully cleaned and restored to put it in its best light, and shows a fantastic flame figured wood stock, which is simply breathtaking. An example almost identical to this is described in the book Battle Weapons of the American Revolution by George C. Neumann on page 111, item 61.MM DUTCH INFANTRY MUSKET Circa 1750-1770. Such weapons were definitely in the inventory of American Colonists during the French and Indian war as well as the American Revolutionary War.
The musket has a 40 ¼" round barrel with an approximately .77" bore, and measures 55 ¾ inches in overall length. The gun features the standard beveled "banana" shaped lock plate with a "teat" on the end, and has a faceted flash pan with a guard on the rear, but no frizzen support bridle. There is also a single screw behind the cock, indicating an early sear design. It is believed that the 61.MM pattern muskets are for the most part earlier 60.MM pattern examples that were refurbished to create a new configuration, very possibly in the Americas.
The musket was shortened and the stock, particularly in the butt area, made thinner, which removed a good portion of the "Bannister rail" that was originally there. The raised carved areas around the lock, side plate, and barrel tang are still retained. It is all brass mounted, featuring three barrel bands, and as is correct the lower two are friction fit, with only the nose band retained by a spring. We can see plugged holes in the stock from earlier configurations, as well as markings from the ramrod fitting where the rod entered the stock, now replaced by a barrel band. It was common practice throughout Europe and the Colonies during the 18th century to reuse weapons like this.
The lock is moistly unmarked, as is correct for the pattern, with just a small GC rectangular cartouche. There is a faint marking on the top of the barrel, however it is quite worn, and we can only make out N 3. There is also a small initial stamp on the left side of the barrel, but make out what it says. There are no other markings that we were able to find on the musket, as they were probably worn away over its long life.
The stock is fantastic, with "Tiger Flame" figuring for almost the entire length of the musket. We cannot make out any repairs or structural issues, and it has a lovely polished glow from centuries of careful cleaning. The metalwork is polished to a nice bright finish, making it very attractive. Overall it gives the feeling of really having been in service, though possibly not fired much. We checked the lock, and while the mainspring is a bit weak, it still holds correctly at half cock, firing at full.
Very attractive and ready to display in any early American Collection!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1750-1760
Caliber: 0.77"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 40 ¼ inches
Overall Length: 55 ¾ inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
- This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
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