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AMERICAN RESTOCKED NEW JERSEY 1755 CONTRACT

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
AMERICAN RESTOCKED NEW JERSEY 1755 CONTRACT

FLINTLOCK MUSKET BY WILSON RECONVERTED FROM PERCUSSION. Cal. 72. NSN. The 45 1/4" bbl. stamped at rear w/ London "GP" & "V" crown proofs & "RW" (Richard Wilson) under a crown. A sighting groove is filed into bbl. tang. Early style lock w/ rounded plate is fitted w/ serpentine cock, integral rnd. pan, bridled friction frizzen & feather spring w/ pineapple finial. Central portion of plate is engraved "WILSON". Full length stock of plain walnut is pinned to bbl. & is partially mounted w/ brass furniture salvaged from a 1755 New Jersey contract musket, these parts include the thimble, sideplate, wrist escutcheon & buttplate w/ engraved "New Jersey" marking. Crest plate is marked "0/88". Trigger guard is of simple cast brass. Ramrod pipes are of sheet brass. CONDITION: bbl. is nearly all dark brown to black patina reconverted from percussion drum & nipple. Lockplate is also brown to black patina w/ cast & aged new external parts. Stock retains most of a very old oil finish & has many cracks around lock area w/ numerous marks & dings. The front left side of bbl. channel restored. Brass is mostly dark mustard to black patina. Reproduction ramrod has sm. brass head & is stuck in place. Rusted bore. Lock inoperable, weak mainspring. PROVENANCE: From the Collection of James B. Taylor. (01-20546/MGM). ANTIQUE. $2,000-3,000.