3250

UNIQUE CURLY MAPLE STOCKED 1ST MODEL BROWN BESS

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
UNIQUE CURLY MAPLE STOCKED 1ST MODEL BROWN BESS
BY JOSEPH WETHERBEE, 1776. Cal. 79. NSN. 61 1/2" Overall. Bbl. 45 1/2". This unique brown Bess musket is documented & photographed in a 5 page article published in October 1971 Gun Report. Metal parts are all 1st model Brown Bess, the stock is curly maple. Engraved on the underside of the bbl., near the breech reads: “JW / Hd. Ms / 1776”. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: the 5 page 1971 article by Willard C. Cousins is available to anyone wanting to read the history of this musket. The article also showed an accompanying 18" bladed bayonet which was lost from the estate, a similar unmarked Brown Bess bayonet w/ 17" blade accompanies musket now. REFERENCE: pictured & described in Gun Report article: JOSEPH WETHERBEE PATRIOT-GUNSMITH, HARVARD, MASS 1725-1809, October 1971, pps 56-60. CONDITION: very good to fine overall, stock shows little wear or use & appears most likely 20th century addition, but 1776 inscription on bottom of bbl. appears original. Iron has brown patina overall, brass cleaned w/ light mustard patina, there is a braised repair in the top buttplate tang. Accompanying bayonet is very good & matches musket well. PROVENANCE: Ex-Willard C. Cousins collection. From the Collection of John "Tim" Breth Jr. (1897-1980). (01-17803/JS). ANTIQUE. $4,000-5,000.