GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
RARE AND INTERESTING ENGRAVED AND DECORATED WHITNEY MODEL 1816 FLINTLOCK MUSKET. WHITNEY 1816 NSN 69 CAL This unique musket is beautifully decorated with 13 inset German silver stars varying from 1" to 1-1/2", a 4" spread wing eagle sitting atop a globe, a 4" blank presentation plate. The engraved "N. HAVEN" lock marking is fancier with engraved ribband than standard Eli Whitney New Haven markings. The walnut stock has beautiful grain and color not seen on standard military guns. The script inspector mark "TN" is unknown. There are known presentation muskets similarly decorated but this particular example reasons are unknown as presentation plaque has been left blank. There is a very similar decorated musket displayed in the iconic Claude Fuller Collection at Chickamauga Battlefield Museum and R. L. Wilson shows several examples in a collage on pg 83 of Steel Canvas. This is a true work of art with rarely seen engraving to bbl, breech and trigger guard. CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Bbl, lock and iron mounts show old cleaning with pitting and staining. Wood is sound and solid with 4" hairline crack forward of trigger guard on bottom of gun. There is a 3" scratch resembling crack on flat opposite lock between inspectors initials and inset star. German silver mounts are very good to fine with old cleaning and scratching especially on presentation plaque where inscription was possibly removed. Musket is mechanically sound and functionable. 50412-83 JS (4,000-6,000)