April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
At the outbreak of the French and Indian War, New Jersey was not prepared. The colony of New Jersey ordered a few thousand of these muskets from Richard Wilson in 1755 and 1757, marked "New Jersey". Multiple relics of these Wilson muskets have been found at Sabbath Day Point, the site of the bloody defeat of Jersey men in New York, according to "Of Sorts for Provincials" by Jim Mullins. For similar examples, see pages 124 through 130. This musket features a round smoothbore English barrel with remarked "LONDON", "US", private view and proof marks, and "RW" for Richard Wilson. Rounded lockplate marked "WILSON" in center. English military style furniture including Long Land Pattern sideplate, wrist escutcheon marked "F/56", ramrod ferrules, and buttplate with tang marked "NEW=JERSEY". Brass trigger guard of Wilson contract style and fitted with sling swivel. Full length walnut stock with carved beaver tail around barrel tang and left side of stock crudely carved with "T L * S B". Complete with original iron ramrod. CONDITION: Fair. Barrel and ramrod heavily corroded. Barrel markings were re-applied and tang has been replaced. Lock has been professionally reconverted and retains a dark patina with some lighter areas. Stock has had 26-1/4" replaced on forend, as well as nose-cap and last three ramrod ferrules. Brass has been polished and has some scattered marks, buttplate marking shows some wear, but is legible. This is a rare and historic French and Indian War musket that certainly saw use.
Caliber/Bore
.78 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
Richard Wilson