GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
RARE 1817 DATED HARPER'S FERRY MODEL 1795 FLINTLOCK MUSKET WITH ORIGINAL BAYONET. HARPPERS FERRY M1795 NSN 690 Cal. 69. This is a rarely encountered "as found" early American, apparently all original 1817 dated Model 1795 Harper's Ferry musket. Gun is in the standard configuration seen on the 1815-1819 production with 42" bbl, 3-1/8" bbl extension, bayonet lug on top of bbl. The accompanying bayonet fits well, and is US surcharged with and inspected. Lockplate is marked forward of cock with eagle over US and rear of cock "Harper's / Ferry / 1817". The bbl has two inspector's cartouches, both recessed ovals, one with raised "US" the other with a "Liberty Cap over P". Opposite the lock are Harper's Ferry inspector's cartouches "V/IP" for Joseph Perkins. There are indiscernible stock inspectors marks in wood rear of trigger guard. Harper's Ferry produced just under 93,000 Model 1795 between 1801-1818, 8,516 being made in 1817. Many of these guns saw hard use and most were converted to percussion. Orig flint examples are quite rare and this appears to be an honest example. CONDITION: Good to very good overall. Metal is overall brown and pitted except where protected under bands where some orig surface can be seen. Markings in metal are very good and discernible as is inspector's cartouche in stock. There are several cracks around and opposite lock though stock is overall sound with numerous scattered blemishes expected from after 200 years. Wood overall has a hand worn patina. Mechanically, gun is sound with pitted bore; bayonet matches gun well for fit and patina. The ramrod has matching patina with no threading and protrudes a couple of inches past muzzle, though no doubt ramrod channel could be cleaned and better fit. 51388-1 JS (4,000-6,000)