Winner, Nippes and Steinman Model 1808 Musket
Item #: WR431
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This is a Model 1808 contract flintlock .69 caliber smooth bore musket manufactured by the James Winner, Abraham Nippes and John Steinman of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This firm had a contract to produce 9,000 muskets in the Harpers Ferry pattern, but it is believed that only 4126 were delivered. The US War Department, under authority granted by Congress, contracted through 19 independent gun makers for 85200 Model 1808 muskets. These muskets have some controversy surrounding them, as the makers were being paid $10.75 per musket, yet it was costing more than that to produce them. Many makers turned to alternative buyers to make money. They were able to do so by condemning serviceable weapons and selling them to other buyers. One of the inspectors involved in this practice was Jacob Shough, who was condemning serviceable weapons and then acting as the middle man in the sells of the condemned weapons to South American countries. This Model 1808 measures 59 1/2" overall, with a 44 7/8" barrel. The barrel on this smooth bore gages out at .72 caliber, apparently it did a little shootin at the Redcoats! The bore is turning dark, but is not rusty or heavily pitted. The exterior of the barrel is smooth and has a nice steel gray patina. The bayonet lug is on the bottom of the barrel. There are several markings on the barrel, a recessed oval on the left side by the breech and a V. Within the recessed oval is an eagle head and the letters CT, indicating contract. All three barrel bands have the same steel gray patina, with the top band being a double strap with front sight. The center band has the letter A stamped on it. The front and rear sling swivels are still reporting for duty. The lock plate is marked W.N&S./PHILAd behind the hammer and an American Eagle over US within an oval forward of the hammer. The lock plate, hammer and frizzen all have the same patina as the rest of the iron hardware. The action works flawlessly and spark occurs when the flint strikes. The trigger guard and butt plate match the patina of the barrel, it's pretty obvious this old war horse has been together for 213 years. The finials on the trigger guard are tear drop in shape. The steel button head ramrod still is correct for this gun, matches the patina of the rest of the gun, but is not threaded at the end. The walnut stock is in really good condition to be over 200 years old! The normal bumps and dings are present from handling. There are two stress cracks on the left side of the stock. One extends from the front of the side plate and is 5" in length. The crack is very shallow and is stable. The other crack 4" forward of the rear band and runs from the barrel channel to the ramrod channel. Even with that crack, the barrel and ramrod channels are still very crisp and show no wood loss. There is an inspector stamp on the left stock flat opposite the lock. It is in the shape of a clover leaf, with the letter V in the top and the initials JS in the bottom leafs, representing Jacob Shough. This is one of the very few guns he did not condemn, but approved for service for the government! There is also a small letter S stamped behind the rear trigger guard finial, and another mark I can't make out. This smooth bore long gun could have seen service in the War of 1812, First Seminole War, the Mexican American War and possibly right on to the Civil War. This musket will go a long way in completing your collection of American military long arms.
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