"SP" marked "Rev War" musket

[WESTbury]

This might be worth a look.

Although in my experience, 99% of muskets described as Rev War are in fact Post War. Charlie Thayer had a piece in Man at Arms Magazine that featured some similar muskets.

[rich pierce]

Where is this for sale?

[Dave Marsh]

Rich, it says Bedford, Tx on 12/7/2024.

[rich pierce]

I mean what is the auction house that is listing it so I can go look it up.

[T*O*F]

RIA
Can't you see the picture?  It has all the information you are asking about,  even the lot #.

[rich pierce]

RIA
Can't you see the picture?  It has all the information you are asking about,  even the lot #.

Doh! Now I see RIA which must be Rock Island. 

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4093/1235/revolutionary-war-era-continental-armory-flintlock-musket

[wogden]

Rockislandauction.com

[WESTbury]

Rock Island gets some great firearms and related items for all of their auctions.

I'm looking forward to some excellent responses on this musket, from some of the Forum's members.

[120RIR]

RIA doesn't necessarily say it's "Revolutionary War"...just of the "era".  Rev War is of course the strong implication and it may very well be but how an "era" is interpreted is up to the individual.  It's a nice piece regardless.

[DaveM]

Neat! They note the lock to be germanic. To my eye, based on the shape of the front / nose of the plate it may be an early french musket lock that was reused on this musket.

[rich pierce]

Seems like the predicted selling price is based on it being made at a continental armory. This is an area of special expertise well outside my wheelhouse.

[WESTbury]

The fact that the musket is in .69cal. rather than the Land Pattern .75 cal is interesting.

I wonder if the barrel is French.

[DaveM]

The barrel with its breach and turnngs makes me think the barrel is british, along with the brass hardware, but the british / american british style muskets are not an area of expertise for me, either.

I was always leery of paying alot for a gun because of rev war markings, too many people know how to fake markings and age them. I have a 1768(?) Charleville that was converted in the US, that is unmarked - which I prefer! At least I know it has no fake marks. I am not suggesting that the musket posted is fake in any way, it may be right as rain.

The sideplate looks funny to me, does not look british, but also does not strike me as an early french plate, but maybe someone else here knows.

[Eric Kettenburg]

I also think that's a French lock.

[WESTbury]

I also think that's a French lock.

To Eric's point, the view of the lock from the top shows that the pan is detachable, which is a characteristic of most, if not all, French flintlocks.

As for the definition of the "SP" stamps, John Hayes who offered, and sold, this particular musket on his website, stated in his description that "SP" designated State of Pennsylvania. Hayes referenced Thayer's article on some of these. That the musket is still viewable on Haye's site.

[Clark Badgett]

The lock is a French 1728 or 1754 model. It’s what I refer to as a parts musket. Could be made any time between the late 1770s thru the 1820s.

[WESTbury]

Having a Rev War long arm is what collectors want. In my view, the only way to even come close is to acquire a straight up British or French arm of the period. Anything else is a $#@* shoot.

A very experienced collector's advice to me years ago was, "Never buy anything you have to explain. The item should speak for itself."

Thanks to all for the great responses to this thread.

[debnal]

This is my musket at RIA. Everyone should read Charlie Thayer's article in Man at Arms. It is a comprehensive discission of these muskets. I collect identified Rev War American items so this doesn't fit into my collection. But, it is in "attic" condition with nothing having been done to it. That is rare for muskets from the Rev War period.
Al

[WESTbury]

This is my musket at RIA. Everyone should read Charlie Thayer's article in Man at Arms. It is a comprehensive discission of these muskets. I collect identified Rev War American items so this doesn't fit into my collection. But, it is in "attic" condition with nothing having been done to it. That is rare for muskets from the Rev War period.
Al

To Al's point, Charlie's article was extremely informative, and the musket is in great condition considering its age and probable use.

[rick.a.britton@gmail.com]

I just bought this gun at the RIA Dec 24 premier auction. I bought it not for proven rev war provenance, but as a continental armory musket. What edition of "Man at Arms" has Thayer's article? Also, he wrote a research paper. Does anyone know where I can get these materials?

[JV Puleo]

Just call the MAA office. If the back issue isn't available Kristin will make a copy. She has a comprehensive index so she'll be able to find it.

[Habu]

I just bought this gun at the RIA Dec 24 premier auction. I bought it not for proven rev war provenance, but as a continental armory musket. What edition of "Man at Arms" has Thayer's article? Also, he wrote a research paper. Does anyone know where I can get these materials?

For the research paper, try this link:
https://web.archive.org/web/20130228145752/http://www.thayeramericana.com/back/research/research7.pdf