Musket

Object Name:

Musket

Object ID:

1907.014.01

Place of Origin:

Charleville, France

Date:

circa 1766

Description:

Musket. Said to have been used by Isaac Wyman (1756-1835) of Keene, NH, at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Flintlock; smoothbore muzzle-loading, with round barrel. .74 caliber, 44.75" barrel. Gun is fully stocked. Bayonet stud is mounted 1" from muzzle on top. Three bands with retaining springs attach barrel to stock. All furniture is iron (with exception of brass nose cap), and all iron is browned: barrel, three bands, S-shaped flat side plate, two sling swivels (one on center bottom barrel band; the rear one just forward of trigger-guard bow), trigger guard, flat butt plate with 2.5" tang, and lock plate. Slim walnut stock. Markings: Incised in front of cock on lockplate: "B"; "Charleville" is inscribed beneath it (barely legible); proof marks incised on left side of breech: a star, and a "D". Metal plate on right side of stock, engraved "Used by Isaac Wyman, aged 17 years, at the Battle of Bunker Hill, 17th June, 1775."

Material:

Wood
Metal
Walnut
Steel
Iron

Dimensions:

H-7 L-59.5 D-2.5 inches

Provenance:

Part of a collection of artifacts gathered by Thomas W. Wyman (1793-1854) and his son, Robert H. Wyman (1822-1882). The artifacts were bequeathed to the Society by Florence M. Wyman (1861-1907), the widow of Thomas W. Wyman (1856-1903), the son of Robert H. Wyman. According to family tradition, Isaac Wyman (1756-1835) of Keene, NH, carried this musket at the Battle of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775. He served in the NH militia as early as 1773. He enlisted at Cambridge, MA, in 1776, serving in the Continental Army for one year. He fought in battles at Montreal, Ticonderoga, and Trenton.

Credit Line:

Bequest of Florence M. Wyman

People:

Wyman, Isaac (1756-1835), Wyman, Thomas W. (1793-1854), Wyman, Robert H. (1822-1882), Wyman, Florence M. (1861-1907)

Subjects:

American Revolution, Firearms, Muskets