Specimen is an original M1816, undated musket made by Asa Waters of Millbury, Massachusetts.  Likely produced for a State militia, this flintlock longarm was never converted to cap and ball.  Musket is a .69 caliber, single shot muzzleloader that retains all its original parts in good condition.  The iron lockplate is almost flush within the wood stock and exhibits the teat at the left edge. Lockplate is not dated but is marked “A. WATERS” with a series of sunrays beneath the powder pan. Flat sided hammer or cock is floral engraved and the lockplate above the teat is also decoratively engraved.  All gunmetal wears a dark gray patina with scattered rust pitting overall specifically on the entire barrel surface. Barrel breech has stampings at the left side but are hard to discern but the date “1828” is visible.    Musket has a 42” long barrel secured to the black walnut stock by three iron bands.

The original cock, battery (frizzen), battery springs, pan, and screws are original and are in good condition. A large trigger guard holds the sling swivel while the middle barrel band supports the second swivel. No inspector marks. Mechanics are excellent, tight and crisp.  Bore is clean with light rust pitting that would clean up nicely. The dark, uncleaned, black walnut stock is in very good condition overall with just normal dings and dents accumulated with service and age. Original button-head ramrod has threaded tip broken off. This musket is a nice M1816 non-altered Asa Waters flintlock musket typically used by militia in the early 19^th century. [ra]

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