October 30, 2019 The Collection of Steve & Marcy Hench
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2019
According to Wyman's "The Genealogies and and Estates of Charlestown", Benjamin Hurd, Jr. was born in 1744 and died at the age of 77 in 1821. This would have made him 31 years old in 1775, when he probably participated in the Battle of Bunker Hill. Benjamin Hurd, Jr. was listed as a merchant and in Wyman's listing of his estate, he is referred to as "B.H. Jr." According pages 328-330 of the 1882 printing of "The Memorial History of Boston" by Justin Winsor, a "Committee of Correspondence was chosen in 1773 and among the most prominently identified persons with these proceedings was Benjamin Hurd. On November 26, 1774 a committee was chosen to see that the resolves of the "grand American Congress" and of the Provincial Congress were duly executed, so far as they related to Boston." It also states that Benjamin Hurd Jr. was chosen for this committee. Hurd was also the town Treasurer of Charleston between 1772 and 1776. His home was burned during the Battle of Bunker Hill, according to the Sons of the American Revolution. On page 133 of "Massachusetts Officers and Soldiers in 17th Century Conflicts", a Benjamin Hurd is listed on October 19, 1775 as enlisted under Commanding officer Poole. The Carbine itself has an unmarked round three-stage barrel with bayonet lug mounted on top, near the muzzle. The lock is a period replacement and is unmarked. The American-manufactured brass furniture includes a shaped wrist escutcheon inscribed "Benja / Hurd jr /1775", a Brown Bess style buttplate with tang inscribed "Charlestown / No. 16", a flat unengraved pierced sideplate, and a cast triggerguard with simplified acorn finial and brass sling swivel. There are four fabricated brass ramrod ferrules, the foremost is trumpeted, and a brass band around the forend tip. The full-length stock appears to be cherry and has a British Profile, there are relief-carved panels around the lock and sideplate. Complete with a period American ramrod, probably original to the fusil. Complete with a file of documentation on Benjamin Hurd, Jr. and the Battle of Bunker Hill. CONDITION: Dry untouched and "as found" condition. Barrel retains a heavy brown patina, lock retains a matching patina and is in its original flintlock configuration. Cock replaced. Brass furniture retains a dark unpolished patina. Stock has its original finish and a dark, dry surface. Shows some scattered marks from use, chipping around lock, and minor losses and cracking along forend. It would be hard to find a better Committee of Safety gun, as this example is dated and identified to an individual and town. PROVENANCE: Purchased from James L. Kochan. Previously sold by the Hurd family at Northeast Auctions in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Caliber/Bore
.75 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
Massachusetts