RARE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS TRYON CONTRACT FLINTLOCK MUSKET.

SN NSN. .69 cal. This particular gun is pictured in a 1958 Albuquerque, NM newspaper article. This gun is consigned by the son of the man holding the gun in this article. This particular arm has been highly counterfeited over the years and it is nice to see a real example here. We have no doubt this is an original and authentic specimen with all the proper characteristics showing no restoration other than the addition of a top jaw and screw to lock plate. George Moller, in his definitive book ‘American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume II’ (page 436-437)states: “Known examples are of the Model 1816 (Type III) configuration. The lockplate is stamped ‘TRYON’ and ‘PHILADa’ in two vertical lines behind the cock. Forward of the cock is a large five-pointed star with an asterisk in the middle, over ‘TEXAS’ in block letters. The barrel’s upper left quadrant is stamped ‘P’ over ‘GF’. The stock’s left breech flat is stamped with a script ‘V’ over ‘GF’ in an oval cartouche. These are the marks of U.S. Inspector George Flegal. However, the last known inspection of U.S. contract shoulder arms by him was accomplished in 1821 or 1822. The presence of George Flegal’s inspection marks stamped into the Texas muskets has raised a number of interesting questions. Flegal was a U.S. inspector who inspected arms contracted for the federal government. How did these state contract muskets come to be stamped with his federal inspection marks? Perhaps there was some as-yet-unknown federal involvement in the procurement of these arms for Texas. It might also be speculated that Tryon, or the Republic of Texas, somehow obtained Flegal’s stamping dies and used them. It is not known when Flegal left federal service, where he went thereafter, or when he died.” Recent research shows George Flegal as being born about 1785 and death in 1856, his obituary can be found in the Philadelphia Inquirer September 1856. Flegal lived in the Northern Liberties Ward of Philadelphia and was listed in its “Committee of Vigilance” till his death. Flegal was paid by Henry Deringer in April 1833 for inspection of 500 Indian Trade guns. So we know Flegal was active after his US Armory tenure in 1822. No doubt as a contract inspector among being in the dry goods business, he no doubt inspected the Tryon Texas contract muskets about 1840 in Philadelphia and probably inspected others that will be noted in future. (Our thanks to Georger Moller for posing this mystery of Mr. Flegal’s inspection – now solved by ace genealogist and researcher). This gun conforms to other known guns by this manufacturer with the same inspector on bbl as noted on other examples by Mr. Moller. These guns are rarely offered in original configuration and this example is among the few with any provenance at all. CONDITION: Stock on this gun is sound and solid with numerous small scuffs, dents & scratches giving it a weathered and as-found appearance. Cartouche ‘GF/V’ is only partially discernible on tail of stock flat opposite lock but ‘P/GF’ inspector on bbl is crisp and easily discerned. The bbl has old pounding at muzzle and a small hairline crack and has been cleaned and retains a gray/bright color overall as does the remainder of the hardware. Traces of orig brown finish are found on hammer, butt plate, trigger guard and two bbl bands. The rear sling swivel is broken off as can be seen in photos. Markings on gun are excellent and well-defined. Most parts of gun contain matching internal assembly numbers, cryptics, and letters including bbl bands, bbl, stock and lock furniture. The top jaw and screw are replaced exhibiting different color and appearance. Otherwise, gun appears authentic and unaltered. Mechanically gun functions well. Bore is fairly smooth with considerable pitting. 4-51023 JS172 (15,000-25,000) – Lot 2274

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2274	$21,850.00	RARE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS TRYON CONTRACT FLINTLOCK MUSKET. SN NSN. .69 cal. This particular gun is pictured in a 1958 Albuquerque, NM newspaper article. This gun is consigned by the son of the man holding the gun in this article. This particular arm has been highly counterfeited over the years and it is nice to see a real example here. We have no doubt this is an original and authentic specimen with all the proper characteristics showing no restoration other than the addition of a top jaw and screw to lock plate. George Moller, in his definitive book ‘American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume II’ (page 436-437)states: “Known examples are of the Model 1816 (Type III) configuration. The lockplate is stamped ‘TRYON’ and ‘PHILADa’ in two vertical lines behind the cock. Forward of the cock is a large five-pointed star with an asterisk in the middle, over ‘TEXAS’ in block letters. The barrel’s upper left quadrant is stamped ‘P’ over ‘GF’. The stock’s left breech flat is stamped with a script ‘V’ over ‘GF’ in an oval cartouche. These are the marks of U.S. Inspector George Flegal. However, the last known inspection of U.S. contract shoulder arms by him was accomplished in 1821 or 1822. The presence of George Flegal’s inspection marks stamped into the Texas muskets has raised a number of interesting questions. Flegal was a U.S. inspector who inspected arms contracted for the federal government. How did these state contract muskets come to be stamped with his federal inspection marks? Perhaps there was some as-yet-unknown federal involvement in the procurement of these arms for Texas. It might also be speculated that Tryon, or the Republic of Texas, somehow obtained Flegal’s stamping dies and used them. It is not known when Flegal left federal service, where he went thereafter, or when he died.” Recent research shows George Flegal as being born about 1785 and death in 1856, his obituary can be found in the Philadelphia Inquirer September 1856. Flegal lived in the Northern Liberties Ward of Philadelphia and was listed in its “Committee of Vigilance” till his death. Flegal was paid by Henry Deringer in April 1833 for inspection of 500 Indian Trade guns. So we know Flegal was active after his US Armory tenure in 1822. No doubt as a contract inspector among being in the dry goods business, he no doubt inspected the Tryon Texas contract muskets about 1840 in Philadelphia and probably inspected others that will be noted in future. (Our thanks to Georger Moller for posing this mystery of Mr. Flegal’s inspection – now solved by ace genealogist and researcher). This gun conforms to other known guns by this manufacturer with the same inspector on bbl as noted on other examples by Mr. Moller. These guns are rarely offered in original configuration and this example is among the few with any provenance at all. CONDITION: Stock on this gun is sound and solid with numerous small scuffs, dents & scratches giving it a weathered and as-found appearance. Cartouche ‘GF/V’ is only partially discernible on tail of stock flat opposite lock but ‘P/GF’ inspector on bbl is crisp and easily discerned. The bbl has old pounding at muzzle and a small hairline crack and has been cleaned and retains a gray/bright color overall as does the remainder of the hardware. Traces of orig brown finish are found on hammer, butt plate, trigger guard and two bbl bands. The rear sling swivel is broken off as can be seen in photos. Markings on gun are excellent and well-defined. Most parts of gun contain matching internal assembly numbers, cryptics, and letters including bbl bands, bbl, stock and lock furniture. The top jaw and screw are replaced exhibiting different color and appearance. Otherwise, gun appears authentic and unaltered. Mechanically gun functions well. Bore is fairly smooth with considerable pitting. 4-51023 JS172 (15,000-25,000) – Lot 2274 Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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RARE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS TRYON CONTRACT FLINTLOCK MUSKET.