New Member, New to the Hobby

[smilingjack]

Jack,

The letters stamped at the rear of the stock flat on HF muskets from 1808 to 1819 are the Viewing stamps of the finished musket inspector. The "V" obviously stands for "VIEWED". For this time period, the initials are either "MH" or "AT". See page 364 of Pete Schmidt's Vol 1 book. As far as I know, the owner of these initials have not been identified.

Thanks  Kent
There's very definitely an H there. I'll try to do a tracing to see what else might pop up.

From doing a little researching, I found that the second production run of these muskets were not given a serial number. I'm assuming that's why you asked about the serial number.

Also in your expert opinion, given the fact that this rifle still exists in fairly good condition, would you surmise that it never saw much, if any actual battle action?

Jack

[WESTbury]

Jack,

Serial numbers were discontinued at HF in 1812 per Moller Vol 2 page 72.

I am not an expert in any way relative to HF longarms. In my opinion, there are no real experts on antique arms, just knowledgeable amateurs.

Your musket looks to have been cleaned pretty aggressively at some point particularly if the View, Proof, and serial number are not present on the barrel. That is the case with the many of these old flint muskets. Harpers Ferry flint muskets have not survived in the numbers that Springfield flint muskets have so it is a nice musket to have.

If you live anywhere near Virginia, take it to Cliff Sophia at CSArms gunshop in Upperville. Cliff is extremely knowledgeable on HF arms.

Kent