Sale 1987
| Cincinnati
| Cincinnati
Estimate$800 – $1,200
.69 caliber. 25" round barrel secured by a single barrel band. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, shortened walnut military stock. Percussion altered lock marked "HARPERS/FERRY/1827" in three vertical lines at the tail and with the spread-winged "{American Eagle}" over "US" forward of the hammer. Harpers Ferry proofs at breech, no visible date on tang. Weak Harpers Ferry block letter inspection at tail of counterpane along with a script Elizur Bates "EB/2" rating cartouche. Shortened during the period of use with forend cut back to the rear barrel band which is an old iron replacement held in place with a nail. Barrel shortened by 17" with a crude brass front sight added near the muzzle. Gun shows strong traces of very old, period of use green paint. Mr. Ness' tag notes that the gun was acquired from an Indian on the Cheyenne-Sioux Reservation with no further comment as to which reservation that applies to. He further notes that the color green is associated with "death" among those Native Americans. A hard used and seemingly absolutely legitimate Native-used musket.
The Collection of Larry Ness
Poor. Metal heavily oxidized, with pitting and roughness. Markings partly legible. Mechanically functional, poor bore. Hammer screw replaced, missing nipple. Stock heavily worn, broken through the wrist and unstable in that area.
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Tim Carey
Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria