September 26, 2018 O'Connor's Americana Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2018
Horace White and Martin Ely of Springfield, Massachusetts are listed as "Committee of Safety" musket contractors in 1775 and 1776 on pages 60 and 208 of "Small Arms Makers" by Col. Robert Gardner. This remnant is what remains of a private purchase American officer's fusil. The lock, which has been converted to percussion during its period of use, is American made and marked "WHITE/& ELY" in the center. Tail is decorated with shell designs and lockplate has double line borders. The silver wrist escutcheon has engraved border and is inscribed "M. ALLEN/1777". The triggerguard is brass and from a British officer's fusil, as is the buttplate. The sideplate is of brass and features an elongated tail, engraved with borders and decorated with stars. Entry ferrule is of shaped sheet brass. Stock of walnut with early form and a relief beaver tail around the barrel tang. What remains of the fusil is in excellent untouched condition. All markings are clear. This is an very historic American fusil by a Committee of Safety contractor.