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Very Rare Whitney Massachusetts Contract "Marine Fencible" Musket

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
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.69 caliber, 42.25" barrel, NSN. Armory bright finish with walnut stock secured with three spring-retained barrel bands. Brass front sight brazed to rear strap of first barrel band. Iron mounts with sling swivel mounted on triggerguard bow. Distinctive brass buttplate. Barrel is marked with 1833 date on breech tang. Rounded and faceted lockplate with rounded reinforced cock; detachable rounded brass pan with fence and bridle. Lockplate marked forward of cock "US/[crossed arrow and olive branch]/E. WHITNEY" with "NEW/HAVEN/1833" in three lines to the rear. Internal lock pats show matching assembly marks, with lock interior marked with eagle-head stamp and "S.N". Barrel shows very faint "P" and "MS" proofs with buttplate showing "45" and "BCG" rack numbers. Made from muskets issued to the State of Massachusetts under the Militia Act of 1808, these arms are distinguished by their unique oversized brass buttplate. It is unknown by whose authority this modification was undertaken, but nearly all examples found have been converted to the percussion system. This example is of an 1816 pattern and is in the original flint configuration, making it exceptionally rare. **Very good condition overall. All metal parts have been cleaned with some old removed pitting. Stock has some handling marks and blemishes with stock appearing to have been lightly refinished. Action is tight and functional with a good bore.** $2,000-$4,000