October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
A. Carruth of Greenville, South Carolina made approximately 3,031 muskets under contract between 1818-1822. Type I configuration. This gun is dated 1818 and features the lock marking of "A.CARRUTH" in a slight arch under a US eagle. The barrel has the standard inspectors marks along with "N. CAROLINA" as well as "NC". Matching 1818 date on buttplate. Of particular note, this exact gun, with the North Carolina markings, is described in detail in accompanying correspondence dated in the early 1960's between Thomas E. Holt (then secretary-treasurer of the American Society of Arms Collectors and noted contract musket expert) and Dr. H.L. Sutherland of South Carolina who was interested in the study and possible acquisition of this gun. Whether or not the sale of the gun for $350 (in 1965) to Dr. Sutherland took place is not clear. This gun is also pictured on page 48 of the book "U.S. Military Flintlock Muskets and Their Bayonets, The Later Years 1816 through the Civil War" by Peter A. Schmidt. Of paramount importance, included with this gun is original correspondence regarding payment for Carruth muskets dated 1819 to and from Colonel Decius Wadsworth and Adam Carruth. How this gun came to be marked for North Carolina is not known, regardless it could be considered a secondary Confederate long arm as flint muskets were being issued to state troops early in the war. PROVENANCE: Thomas E. Holt Collection, 1965. CONDITION: All metal surfaces have been cleaned to bright as was common during the earlier parts of the 20th century, with some areas of very minor pitting. Markings are clear. Wood has dings and handling marks, with a piece replaced on the left side of the barrel tang. Some slight age cracks in butt along grain. Mainspring is very strong, but appears original to the gun. Good mechanical function. This is a rare opportunity to obtain one of the more elusive contract guns which is accompanied by great provenance and original correspondence with the manufacturer. GR
Caliber/Bore
.69 Smoothbore
Paperwork
Photos, Copy of Schmidt book pages, Contract * Government Correspondence, 1960