Ken Gahagan Assembled Musket with a Rick Guthrie Ax

Photo by Robert Weil.

New England Club-Butt Musket

American Revolutionary War Period New England Club-Butt Musket, ca. 1770’s (Ex. George c. neumann Collection and pictured in “battle weapons of the american revolution”) in fine original flintlock condition.  The round, pin-fastened, 39 1/8”, smoothbore, 77 caliber barrel with an untouched, brown/gray, age patina and a top-mounted bayonet-lug sight.  Gracefully carved, classic New England design, Club-Butt form, maple fullstock of Revolutionary War Period form: with a pronounced drop to the wrist and a deeply fluted comb.  Of typical American manufacture and made from recycled Brown Bess and American made parts.  “TOWER” marked lock and a Shortened Pattern buttplate.  American made sheet-brass and recycled English mounts: a flat/triangular-form “rifle-type” sideplate, three cast brass ramrod pipes, a Shortland type trigger-guard with raised hazelnut finial and a pin-fastened nose-cap.  Recycled English P. 1777 lock with untouched, brown/gray surfaces having some scattered patches of discoloration and the expected signs of use/ware.  Retains its original components and is in mechanically functional order.  In fine original flintlock condition.  The barrel exhibits an even, smooth, age-patina with sharp contours and choice steel surfaces.  The lock with its original components, fine mechanics and matching untouched surfaces.  Fine Club-Butt stock with 85%+ finish, sharp contours, a deeply fluted and dropped butttstock, scattered handling marks and minor ware.  The hardware with a smooth mustard-toned age-patina.  The lock, en suite with matching, smooth, steel surfaces and fine mechanics.  A nice example of a classic New England made, Revolutionary War Period Club-Butt Musket.  A rare form of American Musket from the American Revolutionary War in fine condition.  Retains its original iron ramrod.  Overall length, 54 7/8”.  From the collection of the noted Author and Historian, George C. Neumann.  Illustrated on page 141 of his: “Battle Weapons of the American Revolution”.

American Revolutionary War Period Musket

In very good untouched original flintlock condition. Octagonal to round, pin-fastened, 46”, smoothbore, .78 caliber, American -made? barrel with a bottom-mounted bayonet lug and an iron front sight: the top of the breech with an “N/35” American style Regimental/Unit marking. Finely carved and molded, New England form Roman-Nose Applewood? fullstock with simple raised carving around the lock and buttplate with a long stepped tang, American-made sheet-brass barrel-form ramrod pipes and a raised “Charlesville” type sideplate signed with an etched “W. Perkins” owner’s name. {Likely that of William Perkins of Mass. (who was) “Born in Boston in 1742, (and) was known best for his role in the Revolution. His military career is recorded by the Sons of the Revolution: William Perkins was Lieut. In Callender’s Co at battle of Bunker Hill, afterwards Captain of same Company.  He was Captain in Knox’s Regt. of Artillery, 1st January, 1776, in Crane’s Regt. Artillery, January, 1777; commissioned Major of same, September 12, 1778; was at Valley Forge 1777-78… (He) was member of the Massachusetts Society of Cincinnati.”} The trigger-guard  with a flat flared forward finial and no provision for a sling swivel. The signed, American –made lock of slightly crude English Longland style with rounded surfaces, a bridled powder-pan and a matching gooseneck hammer: the face with a worn “SHEPPARD” signature (appears to be an unrecorded 18th century gunsmith & should be further researched , as there are several later-period “Sheppard(s)” listed as gunsmiths, in the New England area). In overall very good+, untouched, “attic” original flintlock condition. The iron surfaces of the barrel with a smooth chocolate-brown age patina and the expected light scattered pitting at the tough hole. The lock with its original components, matching untouched surfaces and in mechanically functional order. Fine stock with 85% of its finish, sharp contours, some expected handling marks/signs of use and a hairline at the front edge of the lock mortise. Untouched brass furniture with a deep mustard, age patina. A very fine example of an untouched New England type, signed, Soldier Inscribed/Identified ? American Revolutionary War Period, Gunsmith Signed “COS” Musket, ca. 1770. A rare signed & owner-inscribed American Musket with a potentially rich and colorful history,, Complete with its iron ramrod. Overall length, 62”.

Copy and photos from Ambrose Antiques.