3190

1798 CONTRACT MUSKET WITH SCARCE R. MCCORMICK

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
1798 CONTRACT MUSKET WITH SCARCE R. MCCORMICK

LOCK. Cal. 70. NSN. Robert McCormick was awarded a contract for 3,000 muskets, but made no recorded delivery. Correspondence exists that shows delivery by the government in 1799 of bbls., stocks, locks & ramrods w/ the purpose of being made up into muskets. What happened then is unknown. He was known to be in debtor's prison in 1801. This example has 44 1/2" bbl. w/ eagle over "CT" stamp at rear & has been converted from percussion. Lock in original flintlock configuration has had some mechanical work done including new mainspring, old replacement frizzen & possible old replacement cock. Feather spring has patina matching lockplate & has well filed dbl. ball finial. Lockplate also has unique to McCormick eagle head over "US" in front of cock. Behind cock "MCCORMICK" is marked vertically over "99". American walnut stock is unmarked & attaches to bbl. w/ 3 spring retained bands. Sling loops are present as is old button head ramrod. CONDITION: metal parts show considerable cleaning & presently have dappled appearance of brown patina & silver highlights. Stock has old lacquer or varnish finish w/ some subsequent hand wear. Stock is sound w/ no noted cracks, except for one minor one along bbl. channel on left side. Top jaw & screw are more recent than the cock. Lock does not hold at half cock. Pitted bore. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Gary Parietti. (01-20292/MGM). ANTIQUE. $1,000-1,500.