3039

SCARCE WARD HAMMER MOUNTED MAYNARD PRIMING SYSTEM

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:400.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,200.00 USD
SCARCE WARD HAMMER MOUNTED MAYNARD PRIMING SYSTEM
ALTERED MUSKET. Cal 69 NSN. This rarely seen alteration done for the state of NY by Lt. James Noble Ward in 1857. His contract was to alter 1200 muskets, but Ward died December 6th 1858 & he had altered 300 muskets. The muskets were issued to the 12th NY infantry. The regimental inspector reported that the Ward altered muskets were not satisfactory & "are already condemned by the men" & recommended their recall. The 12th NY disbanded prior to the Civil War. 40 Of these muskets were issued to the 50th NY infantry in 1864. George Moller in his text "American Military Shoulder Arms, Vol. 3" Pg. 76 states "Surviving examples indicate that a variety of muskets were altered by Lt. Ward.". The alteration here is on undated Whitney model 1816 contract musket in standard configuration for the flintlock with 42" barrel. Ward added his patented Maynard magazine hammer stamped "J.N.Ward U.S.A. / PATENTED JULY 1 1856". The patented hammer has 2 compartments, one holding a gear to advance a roll of caps & the other which is operated by a spring retained pivoting door & holds the caps. Small assembly numbers are observed inside the primer cap mortise, its cover, and screws. Moller notes these alteration numbers do not match on any of the known examples. Along w/ the hammer, Ward also added unusual sights which consisted of a thick brass cone front sight fitted to front band & an adjustable rear leaf sight, the leaf is missing on this example. CONDITION: good overall. Appears original & complete. Metal is an overall mottled smooth plum/brown patina with vise marks on left side of barrel at breech. Stock was broken at wrist and has old screwed repair. Mechanically, musket cocks, but Maynard cap wheel does not turn to advance caps. Door to cap roll has new screw, cleaned & pitted. Bore is clear & smooth. (01-22948/JS). ANTIQUE. $800-1,200.