British Board of Ordnance Marked Percussion Altered Trade Fusil by Moxham

.54 caliber. 44.5" wedge retained octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transition. SN: NSN. Blued finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Percussion altered flint lock marked "MOXHAM" under the bolster and with a "{Wild Boar}" in a circle with arrows and feathers at the tail of the lock. A small British Board of Ordnance "{CROWN-Broad Arrow}" is stamped below the bolster. Barrel marked with pre-1813 Birmingham proofs on the left angled flat and "LONDON" on the top flat. Lock secured with two screws with round brass escutcheons and no side plate, lightly engraved brass triggerguard with acorn finial and lightly engraved brass commercial buttplate. Sheet brass ramrod thimbles with baluster turned rings at the ends, wood ramrod. Thomas Moxham was a Birmingham based "Gunmaker & Victualler" who worked circa 1799 to 1837 and regularly marked his guns "London". He was one of the 16 contractors to the Board of Ordnance to produce arms for the Natives allied to the British during the War of 1812 and delivered 1,532 guns under that contract between 1813 and 1816. Notes from Mr. Ness indicate that this gun was collected from an Indian Reservation in Traverse Bay, MI. He further notes that it is "Chief's Grade" with a question mark, as is it is better quality than the typical Northwest Trade Guns, but does not have some of the decorative features that would be expected on a true "Chief's Grade" gun.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

The Collection of Larry Ness