US Model 1808 Contract Musket by R.C. Leonard

.69 caliber. 44.75" barrel secured by three flat, spring retained bands. NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, walnut stock. Single shot muzzleloading flintlock musket with brass blade front sight, socket bayonet lug under barrel 1.125" from the muzzle, bell shaped screw secured sling swivels and a steel button head ramrod. Flat beveled flint lock with integral rounded and fenced iron pan and flat beveled reinforced cock is marked with an {Eagle}/US in a circle under the pan, over the contract name R.&C. LEONARD, and marked vertically in two lines at the tail CANTON in an arc and 1810. Breech marked US over a depressed cartouche with a raised right facing {Eagle Head} over CT inspection. According to Moller, the "CT" stands for "contract" and is only found on 1808 and 1812 contract muskets. Counterpane stamped with a legible V/CW in a cloverleaf cartouche. Lock remains in original flint configuration. Touchhole is poorly located in the pan and heavily eroded, with a somewhat awkward tang fit to the stock, suggesting the barrel may have been replaced at some point in time. Endoscopic examination of the breech shows no indications of welding or modification. Rudolph Charles Leonard of Canton, MA received a contract to produce 5,000 "Harpers Ferry" pattern muskets in October of 1808, and delivered a total of 3,867 between 1810 and 1814, with 200 delivered in 1810 and 1,125 being delivered during 1811. A scarce example of a War of 1812 period US M1808 contract musket in original flint. {ANTIQUE}

This lot is located in Cincinnati.