AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: BigSkyRambler on July 20, 2025, 02:01:07 AM
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I believe this is a civilian copy of a Type II Springfield Model 1795 musket. Only marks are a JJ on rear of lockplate. Overall good antique condition. Not familiar with civilian contract muskets.
(https://i.ibb.co/DD9ksNZJ/20250719-164849.jpg) (https://ibb.co/d0P61SRT)
(https://i.ibb.co/pvCykJyy/20250719-160739.jpg) (https://ibb.co/99Rtdstt)
(https://i.ibb.co/Vh9Fz61/20250719-160913.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xcLnBZk)
(https://i.ibb.co/RkdqqLrN/20250719-161003.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sdzZZLxC)
(https://i.ibb.co/jkB11tZK/20250719-161127.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Zztkk91s)
(https://i.ibb.co/Jw4g0bGq/20250719-161251.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hJjwhn4c)
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They weren't "contract muskets" because no contracts were issued. And, they weren't "civilian" in any sense other than they were privately owned. The Militia Acts required every eligible male to acquire his own musket. The contract muskets made under the provisions of the act to "arm the militia" did not mean they were issued to the militia. In fact, nearly all were kept in storage with the intention of arming volunteer units (drawn from the militia) in time of war. The militia was, in effect, a nationwide basic training program. It was never intended to be embodied as a whole for anything other than short term, local duty.
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Like I said, completely unfamiliar with these creatures. But thanks for all of the quotation marks. LOL 😆!