Musket

Object Name:

Musket

Object ID:

1975.582

Creator:

Potsdam Arsenal -- Gunsmith

Place of Origin:

Potsdam, Prussia

Date:

circa 1765

Description:

Muzzle-loading flintlock musket, smoothbore, with round barrel, .75 caliber. Gun is fully stocked. Barrel is fastened to stock by three bands and one retaining spring on forward band. Iron ramrod is intact. Elliptical sight located on rear strap of forward band. Bayonet mounting stud located at muzzle, underside. Sling swivel mountings; one on underside of center band, one on tail of trigger guard. Iron furniture is browned: barrel; bands; blunt ended trigger guard; flat lockplate; cock; and squared frizzen; convex, S-shaped sideplate; oval escutcheon with decorative incising, "FR" (royal cipher of Frederick II) and crown; flat butt plate with two rounded screwheads protruding, and 5" tang. Marks on lockplate: "[P]OTZDAM MAGAZ" and "SAD". Mark on left side of barrel: "IGL".

Material:

Wood
Metal

Dimensions:

L-56.5 inches

Provenance:

"POTZDAM MAGAZ" is short for Potsdam Magazin, referring to the Potsdam Arsenal (1722-1855). This is a Model 1740 Potsdam musket, commonly used by Hessian and Brunswick troops in the American Revolution. This is possibly the musket presented to the State of New Hampshire by John Stark after his troops captured it at the Battle of Bennington on August 16, 1777. However, Stark is said to have presented a carbine; this musket is not a carbine.

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Collection

Subjects:

Firearms, Muskets, American Revolution, Revolutionary War