THE SAMUEL BURNHAM FLINTLOCK MILITARY MUSKET,

THE SAMUEL BURNHAM FLINTLOCK MILITARY MUSKET, late 18th/early 19th century. 45 1/8 in., .80 caliber unmarked octagon to round barrel; flat lock with rounded tail; walnut stock; brass furniture including a butt plate with a pointed tang, trigger guard with a pineapple finial engraved 'B' on the finial and lightly marked 'SB' on the rear of the trigger guard, brass nose band, two sheet brass rammer pipes and a sheet brass entry pipe, steel rammer with button head. Overall lg. 61 in. Condition: Barrel and lock are reconverted and toned to brown with light pitting; stock is spliced in front of the second rammer pipe and has scattered dings and dents, action functions properly. Footnotes: Provenance Descended in the Burnham family, Arundel, Maine. The Miller Collection. James D. Julia Auction, November 18, 19, 20, 1991, Lot 936. Literature This musket is illustrated and described in Merril Lindsay, The New England Gun The First Two Hundred Years, (New Haven: The New Haven Colony Historical Society, 1975), pp. 55-56. Note Bonhams Skinner sold Samuel Burnhams brass hilted third quarter of the 18th century saber in the auction Historic Militaria Including Items from the Tom Grinslade Collection, and Rare British Cavalry & Naval Arms, June 20-July 2, 2024, Lot 1049. It is interesting to note that a similar lead collection/ownership seal is attached to both the saber and the present musket. While the musket was published by Lindsay as having belonged to Samuel Burnham (d. 1782), the gun has stylistic attributes that suggest a somewhat later date of construction. It is possible that the musket belonged to a son or relative of Burnham while serving in a local militia. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing