October 13th 2012 Firearms & Knives Sale (12)
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/12/2012
This Springfield musket, model 1816, is in beautiful, probably unfired, condition, being original throughout. All markings on the (1839 dated) barrel, original (1830 dated) flintlock are sharp and clear. The metal is armory bright and the walnut stock has a smooth filled, varnish finish (as opposed to an oil-finish). The musket is intact with its original ramrod and original sling swivels. Sometime in the second Quarter of the nineteenth century, the government authorized the armory to set aside a number of the M-1816 muskets to be used for presentation, either to officers in the military or Indian Chieftains, with whom the U.S. Government was striving to have good terms, as the Indians were being treatied and even being re-located to special areas or reservations. While some of these ultra-ornamental silver inlaid muskets have individual’s names, this particular one was never identified, probably because it was an un-issued one. On the top of the barrel there is scroll engraving at its breech with a six-inch long open panel, ostensibly to engrave the receiver’s name and possible award of merit. As is obvious from all of the photos, there are three silver, American Eagle symbols in various sizes and configurations used as inlays, in addition to silver floral motifs and thirteen stars, all inlaid into the stock. In addition, there are six silver arrow inlays, three on either side of the forestock, which may have been intended for Native Americans. All of these silver inlays are extremely well-engraved, making it obvious that these presentation muskets were to be highly prized. This presentation musket has the merit and the condition that will suit the most fastidious of collectors.