October 30, 2019 The Collection of Steve & Marcy Hench
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2019
This musket came from a Sherbourne Estate in Ireland. On page 69 of "Flintlock Fowlers" by Tom Grinslade, in 1776 Medad Hills was contracted to supply muskets to the Connecticut Committee of Safety. Archive records dated February 24th, 1776 show the delivery of 40 guns, 40 bayonets, and 40 belts from Hills in Goshen, Connecticut. The Hill's gunsmith family in Western Connecticut made guns from about 1750 through the 1790's. This musket, numbered 14 in two places, is most likely one of these 40 muskets. The 1st Connecticut Regiment was involved in the 1777 New York Campaign, it is quite likely that this musket was captured early in the war and brought back to Europe as a trophy. The 1st Connecticut was authorized in September of 1776 and organized between January and April of 1777 at Norwich, consisting of eight companies. They were also involved in the Philadelphia Campaign and the battle of Monmouth. The regiment was consolidated in January of 1781 with the 8th Connecticut Regiment and re-designated as the 5th Connecticut Regiment. This regiment was disbanded in 1783 at West Point, New York. The musket itself was shortened to its current configuration during the period of use. It has an unmarked, tapered, round barrel with a bayonet lug mounted on top near the muzzle. The rounded lockplate is engraved "M HILLS" in the center and "C / 1 Co" on the tail. The brass furniture is in the style of the short land pattern 2nd Model Brown Bess musket, however the furniture is of American manufacture. the flat sideplate is deeply stamped "14", the wrist escutcheon has no inscription, buttplate tang is engraved with a large "14", and most importantly, the trigger guard bow is engraved "1st / CONNCT / 3rd". The trigger guard was made without a hole for a sling swivel and the trigger floorplate is brass. There are three cast brass ramrod ferrules; the two front ferrules are trumpeted. The full length stock is of English form with the wrist extending into the buttstock. There is a point relief carved beavertail around the barrel tang. The musket is accompanied by a wood analysis from Alden Identification Service; the test indicates that the stock is of American butternut. Complete with a replaced iron ramrod. Complete with a receipt from Al Para, extensive information on Medad Hills, and information on the 1st Connecticut Regiment. CONDITION: Barrel retains a mottled grey patina. Lock retains a brown patina with some light scattered pitting, markings are very good. Lock is in its original flintlock configuration. The brass furniture is polished bright but the markings are excellent. The fact that it was found in England accounts for the cleaning. Stock retains a pleasing original finish showing some wear in carrying areas and scattered marks from use. Brass end cap probably replaced after capture. A fantastic signed and regimentally marked Committee of Safety musket that is only one of 40 made, due to its discovery in Europe it most certainly went back to England as a war trophy. PROVENANCE: Purchased in the spring of 2006 by Al Para.
Caliber/Bore
.75 Smoothbore
Model
Committee of Safety Musket
Paperwork
Receipt, Assorted Information, Wood ID Analysis