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Very Rare U.S. Model 1816 Type I Flintlock Musket, dated 1816

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,100.00 USD
Very Rare U.S. Model 1816 Type I Flintlock Musket, dated 1816
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Very Rare U.S. Model 1816 Type I Flintlock Musket, dated 1816, Altered to Percussion and Modified With Butterfield's Patent Self-Priming Mechanism, Alteration #85, .69 cal., 41.75" round barrel is marked "C" (?) and an illegible sunken cartouche at breech (other markings were removed at time of alteration), has a top bayonet lug 1.125" from muzzle; flat beveled lockplate is dated "1816" at rear; during alteration the original maker's stamp was obliterated, "Butterfield's/Patent Dec. 11, 1855/Philada." was over-stamped under the new nipple bolster and Butterfield's unique pellet primer mechanism was added to the lock. A vertical front tube holds the "wafer-primers"; when the serpentine hammer is cocked, a primer is fed to a sliding bar under the hammer that pushes it over the nipple, thus making the loaded gun ready to fire. Steel furniture includes trigger guard with separate lug and sling loop at front, wide buttplate marked "D" at toe and "1816" at upper screw, serpentine sideplate, three spring-retained bands (upper of the double-strap type with brass blade front sight and integral nosecap/thimble retaining the button-tip ramrod, middle is marked "3" at right and "86" left, has stud for sling loop). Fullstock of oil-finished walnut has dished cheekpiece at left comb, long raised aprons either side of lock, step at lower band, is marked "WC" and encircled "P" at belly, "36" (?) at front trigger guard tang. Mfg'd 1816. Condition is good retaining cleaned bright metal having scattered light-to-medium oxidation; 1816 dates are clear, Butterfield's stamp less so. Stock is sound with scattered dings and shallow scrapes, a professionally repaired 4.25" break at wrist, and an arsenal-quality .5"x2.5"x1.75" wood replacement at primer mechanism (probably done at time of alteration). Hammer won't go back to cock, but the primer-feeder operates correctly; smoothbore is clean having overall light oxidation. In July, 1861 Jesse Butterfield contracted with the state of Pennsylvania for 1,000 self-priming muskets, but only 200 were ever delivered. Very rare. Est.: $2,000-$2,500. (Antique)