Rare Richard Wilson New Jersey Contract Musket

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Historic Arms & Militaria

By Bonhams Skinner

Feb 25, 2022

Set Reminder 2022-02-25 12:00:00 2022-02-25 12:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Historic Arms & Militaria https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/skinner/historic-arms-militaria-8880
Skinner is proud to present the William Rose Colonial and Revolutionary War Arms Collection, Part II. The collection documents the evolution of military arms, equipment, and documentary items used in early America. Bonhams Skinner bidsquare@bonhamsskinner.com

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• Lot Description
  Rare Richard Wilson New Jersey Contract Musket, mid-18th century, as found, shortened 41 7/16 in., .76 caliber round barrel with ring decoration at breech, the left side of breech with London Company of Gunmaker's proof marks and asterisk over "RW" Richard Wilson barrel maker's mark, traces of "LONDON" engraved on the top of the barrel; double bridled curved lock plate with convex surface and pointed tail, engraved "WILSON" below the pan; walnut stock with slight handrail butt, subtle teardrop at rear of lock mortice and side plate, carved plateau around the breech plug tang, rammer channel stamped between the lower pipe and entry with assembly number "IIII" and "IK"; brass furniture including butt plate with stepped tang engraved "NEW=JERSEY," trigger guard with pointed finial, convex Land Pattern-style side plate with concave inner surface and "IIII" assembly number, and three short sheet brass rammer pipes set up for a wood rammer, the upper pipe is slightly trumpeted and is likely a period replacement, overall lg. 57 1/4 in.
  
  Note: Evidence suggests that as early as 1747 the Colony of New Jersey purchased stands of arms from London to provide for the defense of the colony. In that year it is thought that 500 arms were purchased from Richard Wilson. With war with France all but inevitable, the New Jersey legislature ordered on April 23, 1755 that "the Property of all coulours, Drums, Halberts and Stands of Arms, Tents, Stores and other Necessaries therunto apertaining, as shall be purchased by, or given to this Colony... be branded or mark'd with the Words New-Jersey..." The above example constructed with a wood rammer and early-style curved lock plate is undoubtedly a French & Indian War era musket.

  Condition

  
  
  Condition: Iron toned to a deep brown and with minor underlying pitting, barrel has been shortened and has evidence of a now missing front sight; lock jaw screw appears to be a very early replacement; stock has been shortened and is very dark from years of grime, has small losses to lower edge of lock mortice, two small holes on the underside of the forestock exposing the rammer channel, old crack at the breech to the upper side nail hole, forestock has small scattered splits and losses along barrel; brass toned to a dark brown/yellow, butt plate is broken and missing from just below the upper screw to the toe, rear interior curl of the trigger guard is missing, lower two rammer pipes have dents and losses; rammer is not original.
  
  Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging.
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