{"product_id":"original-u-s-war-of-1812-era-commonwealth-of-pennsylvania-model-1797-69-caliber-flintlock-contract-musket-with-cp-marking-circa-1800","title":"Original U.S. War of 1812 Era Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Model 1797 .69 Caliber Flintlock Contract Musket with CP Marking, Circa 1800","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Model 1797 .69 caliber flintlock contract musket dating to approximately 1800, produced as part of Pennsylvania’s effort to arm its state militia at the end of the 18th century. Although the original maker and barrel proof markings are no longer legible, the tail of the lock plate retains a strong \u003cstrong\u003eCP\u003c\/strong\u003e marking for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the musket conforms closely to the early Charleville influenced American military pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1797, Pennsylvania authorized the procurement of 20,000 muskets for the Commonwealth militia under the Legislative Act of March 28, 1797. The program issued contracts for 10,000 that could be imported and another 10,000 to be produced in the U.S.. Later, as tensions continued to rise, the British government voided contracts with the Ketland Company for the 10,000 imported muskets, which meant that no muskets were ever imported under the act. Pennsylvania issued a second round of contracts to make up for the shortfall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese arms would all be based on the French Charleville pattern in approximately .69 caliber, reflecting the strong influence of the Model 1763\/66 French muskets that had been supplied to American forces during the Revolutionary War. The Pennsylvania Model 1797 belongs to the same general generation of early American martial arms as the U.S. Model 1795 Springfield.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lock plate retains the prominent marking:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCP\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eon its tail, identifying Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ownership. Any maker or additional proof markings that may originally have been present on the lock and barrel are no longer visible due to age, oxidation, and past cleaning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe iron furniture and barrel have developed a dark, mature oxidized patina with scattered evidence of old peppering and cleaned corrosion. There is more pronounced powder residue erosion around the touch hole and adjacent lock and barrel surfaces, indicating substantial period use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lock presently functions, but it does not hold safely at half cock and will release from both half and full cock. This is an important mechanical defect and should be regarded accordingly. These observations describe only the musket’s present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bore measures approximately .73\" at the muzzle in its present condition. The interior is heavily oxidized and shows pitting, so the current measurement should not be taken as an exact indication of the original bore diameter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe walnut stock is in attractive condition overall and has clearly been cleaned and waxed during its long life. It retains the distinctive bannister rail butt profile associated with early Charleville influenced American military muskets and shows especially attractive flame figure on both sides of the buttstock. There is cracking around the lock inlet, a common stress area on early martial muskets, but the stock otherwise presents with a strong aged appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe musket retains both barrel bands as well as the long forward nose cap. A brass front sight is mounted on the rear barrel band. The rear two band springs remain intact, while the spring at the nose cap is broken away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA ramrod remains beneath the barrel, though it appears to be a later replacement. Both sling swivels are present and move freely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its strong CP Commonwealth of Pennsylvania lock marking, circa 1800 date, Charleville influenced architecture, bannister rail stock, flame figured walnut, complete barrel bands, sling swivels, and untouched service worn appearance, this is a compelling early American state contract musket from the generation immediately preceding the War of 1812. The missing maker and proof markings, unsafe half cock condition, heavy bore oxidation, lock area stock cracking, broken nose cap spring, and probable replacement ramrod are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Pennsylvania militia, early U.S. martial arms, War of 1812 era, flintlock musket, or advanced American military firearms collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:-\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eYear of Manufacture:\u003cspan\u003e circa 1800\u003cbr\u003eModel: 1797 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Contract Musket\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eCaliber: .73\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Ball and Powder\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 44 3\/4 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 59 1\/2 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Side Action Flintlock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Muzzle Loading\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\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":45696963903557,"sku":"ONJR26AURA62","price":2695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/4EAC0C90-2DE6-4A1D-8921-27AAA922F8FB.jpg?v=1788632192","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-war-of-1812-era-commonwealth-of-pennsylvania-model-1797-69-caliber-flintlock-contract-musket-with-cp-marking-circa-1800","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}