Item Description
Original item: One of a Kind. Now this is something we do not see every day! This is a very early American Flintlock Musket, produced for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The states were responsible for maintaining their own stocks of arms for their militias, so at the very end of the 18th Century, Pennsylvania started to have these rifles produced, often with parts supplied by the National Armories.
Much like the Springfield Model of 1795, the PA Model 1797 is based heavily on the Charleville musket, Model 1763/66, which had been imported in large numbers from the French during the American Revolution. In the years following the war in the 1790s, French muskets comprised the largest number of muskets in U.S. arsenals at about 20,000 muskets.
The M1797 is somewhat different, in that it has a .75" bore barrel, not the smaller .69" used by the Springfield Model 1795. It is also a few inches longer, while the stock is a bit shorter, so the end of the barrel sticks out more. It still uses the standard socket bayonet, which attaches to the small lug on the front of the barrel. The brass front sight is attached directly to the front barrel band, as with the French and Springfield designs.
The musket is in very good condition, especially considering the age, and has a great look. It is marked C P across the lock plate tail, indicating ownership by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The breech end of the barrel is marked with the "Liberty Cap" over P, the National Armory proof mark used until 1799, when the familiar "Eagle's Head" over P came into use. The rest of the musket is unmarked, except for the initials I B scratched into the right butt stock.
The musket's mounts are all of iron and the iron lock plate shows old rust speckling, which actually is not bad at all. There is some powder burn and surface oxidation near the touch hole, as expected for any musket that saw service. The ramrod is still present, and definitely looks to be original. The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock, and firing at full.
The stock does show some cracking around the lock and breech area, and there is a glued and pinned repair to the rear right of the barrel tang. There is also a crack on the under side of the butt stock about half way down the trigger guard tang. The wood color is a lovely dark brown with some reddish streaks, and has a lovely polished finish.
The included socket bayonet is of a simple design, without any locking ring. It is unmarked, and fits well onto the front of the barrel. It shows oxidation and rust specking, and does have a crack in the socket near the end of the channel.
A very nice example of a very early American State Issued military musket, complete with bayonet. Ready to research and display!
Specifications (Musket)-
Year of Manufacture: circa 1797
Caliber: .75"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 44 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 60 Inches
Action type: Side Action Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading
Specifications (Bayonet)-
Blade Length: 14 1/2"
Blade Style: Triangular Socket
Overall length: 17 1/5“
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
- This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
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