{"product_id":"original-u-s-massachusetts-69-militia-musket-by-payson-nurse-of-boston-converted-to-percussion-with-bayonet-circa-1820","title":"Original U.S. Massachusetts .69\" Militia Musket By Payson \u0026 Nurse of Boston Converted to Percussion with Bayonet - circa 1820","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One of a Kind. Here we have a very interesting weapon, a very nice U.S. early 19th century \"Militia Musket\" from the State of Massachusetts, made circa 1820. It was later converted to percussion, most likely in the 1840s-1850s, to comply with the ammunition standards of the time. These were often privately made, such as this example, which is marked on the lock by the makers:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePAYSON\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026amp; NURSE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBOSTON\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a known maker from Boston in the early 19th century, though it is unclear whether they were more of a manufacturer or a retailer. The lock looks very much like a \"trade\" lock, possibly imported from England or from the Ohio River valley. It was definitely made as a flintlock, and the mounting points for the frizzen and frizzen spring are still present, and were NOT plugged. The barrel was converted to percussion using a \"barrel\" style bolster, and there is a \u003cstrong\u003eP\u003c\/strong\u003e proof mark on the left side, indicating that the barrel passed a military inspection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe musket features a 42 inch .69\" caliber barrel and overall length of \u003cspan\u003e57 ½ inches, roughly conforming to the Springfield Model of 1816 patter, however the style of construction is much closer to a civilian musket. There are no sling swivels, and the barrel is attached to the stock via wedges, not the barrel bands that would be used on the Springfield muskets. The fittings are mostly of brass and it is a bit less robustly built as well. There is some lovely silver wire inlay around the tang of the barrel, and more on the back of the wrist surrounding a decorative escutcheon.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe metalwork is lovely, with the barrel still displaying a lot of the original bluing in some areas. The area near the cap bolster however shows a good amount of powder burn. The brass fittings all show a lovely \"mustard\" patina that just looks great. The stock is also beautiful, with some great grain and a lovely varnished finish. There is a bit of scratching from storage, but nothing major. \u003c\/span\u003eThe lock is still fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, however the cap nipple cone definitely has seen better days, and now is pitted and fouled from powder burn. There is still an original ramrod under the barrel, which looks to be original.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe included socket bayonet is in very nice condition, with a lovely plum patina overall, faded from the original blue. There is no major oxidation we can see, though the tip of the bayonet shows that it has been reduced in length at some point, possibly when the musket was converted to percussion. It is marked with \u003cstrong\u003eUS\u003c\/strong\u003e on the ricasso, over an inspection mark, and there are some other markings as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely Massachusetts Militia musket by a known maker, later converted to percussion. Complete with the original bayonet, ready to research and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications (musket):-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture: circa 1820\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .69\" Musket\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Lead Ball \u0026amp; Powder\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 42 inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 57 ½ inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Percussion Lock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Muzzle-Loaded\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications (bayonet):-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlade Length: 15 ¾”\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Triangular\u003cbr\u003eSocket Length: 3\"\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 19”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41949469802565,"sku":"ONSV22DCS30","price":1195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV22DCS30__01.jpg?v=1723840832","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-massachusetts-69-militia-musket-by-payson-nurse-of-boston-converted-to-percussion-with-bayonet-circa-1820","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}