Description:
Buttstock of an American officer's fusil, converted to percussion from flintlock. The sheet brass ramrod is a copy of the style favored by the British, and a French-style lock plate. It has a small leaf stamp on the lock plate, and a silver medallion behind the sight. It is similar to those made in Worcester County in this period. While it also features a British-style trigger guard, it was undoubtedly made in New England. Horace White and Martin Ely of Springfield, Massachusetts, are listed as "Committee of Safety" musket contractors in 1775 and 1776 on pages 60 and 208 of "Small Arms Makers" by Col. Robert Gardner. This remnant is what remains of a private purchase American officer's fusil. The lock, which has been converted to percussion during its period of use, is American made and marked: "WHITE/& ELY" in the center. The tail is decorated with shell designs and lockplate has double line borders. The silver wrist escutcheon has engraved border and is inscribed "M. ALLEN/1777". The triggerguard is brass and from a British officer's fusil, as is the buttplate. The sideplate is of brass and features an elongated tail, engraved with borders and decorated with stars. Entry ferrule is of shaped sheet brass. The stock is walnut with early form and a relief beaver tail around the barrel tang. What remains of the fusil is in excellent untouched condition. All markings are clear. This is an very historic American fusil by a Committee of Safety contractor.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2018.36.1 |
