Musket question

[Joe hunter]

I inherited this musket from my father in law I don't know anything about them .
It says n haven on it its 57 in long the barrel is 42 in any information would be greatly appreciated

 

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[Charlie P. (NY)]

I think it's a Whitney 1812 or 1822 Contract Musket converted to percussion at some later time.

At least the N.HAVEN sideplate is from a Whitney of 1795 to 1822 +/- make.

https://books.google.com/books?id=T...eCh3WpQxn#v=onepage&q=n, haven musket&f=false

Closer images of the fitting near the muzzle and the butt would help narrow it down.

 

[BosnMate]

Need close up pictures so we can see detail. Picture of entire lock plate would help.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

It is definitely a Whitney US 1812 musket, 69 cal. Those are the only ones marked that way. 42 inches is the correct length for the barrel which is a very good thing, if it had been cut down for a squirrel gun, it would have lost a lot of value. If it were in it's original flint lock configuration, depending on condition, it could be a 5-6000$ gun. I'm not sure what it would bring as a percussion conversion, but with having the nipple welded into the original barrel (I'm guessing) would make it a fairly early conversion, since later it would have been re barreled and I'd expect to see a drum on the side of the barrel. It's a really great gun you have there and I know if it were mine I'd be proud to own it.

Id love to see some better pics of the lock and barrel where the conversion was done.

EDIT : Just wanted to add : Don't try to clean it at all..... wipe it down with a soft cloth and some gun oil, but don't be too rough, you don't want to lose any patina on that great old musket...

 

[Joe hunter]

Snapped some pics before work not very good feel free to couch and correct since it was my wife's dads I was going to sell it and get her something nice but there's such history I may keep it (first picture of Joe hunter on tn aka Brian

 

[sutphin]

BEAUTIFUL PEICE OF HISTORY YOU HAVE THERE ...

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Yep: 1812 Whitney. The ramrod is frequently separated from the musket after years of handling so that alone is a treasure.

If it were mine I'd LIGHTLY blot the metal with a product like Barricade or CorrosionX on a piece of cotton just to stabilize metal the and display it proudly on the wall.

Very nice!

 

[Joe hunter]

Thanks Charlie if choose to sell do you have any recommendations thank you again

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Nope. I'm not a collector or an investor - just a firearm aficionado.

The link I gave on my first post was to a Flayderman's Guide from 2007 that lists yours (converted to percussion) at $500 to $750. But that is no guarantee as, like every object: condition, condition, condition.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

For some reason I can't enlarge the photos.... If you decide to sell, contact the Rock Island Auction, they deal with historic firearms all the time and will probably be the best place to get top dollar, as it will be seen by collectors literally everywhere. Antique & Collectors Firearms Auction - Sell Your Guns

 

[NOLA_Ken]

I found one like yours, same conversion, similar condition, with the bayonet that sold at auction for $554 last year, I think at that price I'd just keep it and have a nice example of a historic musket on my wall.

Whitney Contract of 1812 Converted Percussion Musket and Bayonet | Sale Number 2708T, Lot Number 87 | Skinner Auctioneers