Very Interesting Early Production US Model 1795 Flintlock Musket

Description:
NSN, .69 Caliber, 44 9/16" barrel with a good, lightly pitted dark bore. This is a very interesting Charleville pattern musket, virtually identical in configuration to early production Model 1795 muskets, but is devoid of discernible markings except for the Roman numeral "V" assembly number present on most of the components. The metal has an overall dark brown patina with mild freckling throughout, as well as pinprick pitting at the barrel breech around the vent, as well as some thin surface oxidation on a few areas. The lockplate of the Type I lock is also evenly pitted, with no armory markings, although the "V" assembly number (along with a perpendicularly oriented "I") is present on the interior. The nose band is now flat without a sight blade, and a period rifle type rear sight was added to the breech end of the barrel at some point long ago. The walnut stock is in good plus condition with numerous handling marks and blemishes scattered throughout the old added oil finish. The rear barrel band spring is missing and the band is now held in place by an old iron brad. Additionally, a previous owner has carved "S • T" into the wood on the right side of the buttstock. The trigger guard has a faint but discernible French proof stamp "(crown) / B" near the tip, indicating that this musket was one of the very early production muskets that was partially assembled with spare French-made Charleville parts from unserviceable muskets of the 1763 type held in storage by Springfield. A trumpet-headed ramrod that matches the condition of the rest of the musket is included, and the lock, while still fully functional, has a somewhat mushy feel when locked into half or full-cock. This is a very interesting Charleville / US Model 1795 musket, likely a historically significant pre-1799 production Springfield. It would make a splendid addition to any collection of early US military arms. Ref: "American Military Shoulder Arms Vol. 2 & From the 1790s to the End of the Flintlock Period" by George Moller, {1993}; "U.S. Military Flintlock Muskets and Their Bayonets & The Early Years" by Peter A. Schmidt, {2006};

Antique: Yes

Price: $4,995.00