REVOLUTIONARY WAR-ERA GERMAN "JAGER"-STYLE MUSKET
Muzzle-loading smoothbore musket, 26 1/4" barrel, 41 1/2" altogether, a German "Jaeger"-style firearm, approx. .75 caliber, likely manufactured circa 1740-50. The stock is well-carved with floral patterns at the butt, the wrist, and radiating out from the trigger guard and ramrod sleeve, and features a raised cheek rest at the butt. The musket has been converted from flintlock to percussion likely circa 1830, and the lockplate is heavily modified accordingly. The brass buttplate bears an exquisitely-molded image of a knight surrounded by various polearms and floral designs, and the brass trigger guard is intricately scrolled to provide better grip. A small compartment with a sliding wooden cover, likely to hold spare flints and wadding, is located on the right side of the butt. Hand-forged iron sights are affixed to the top of the heavy octagonal barrel, and a wooden ramrod, possibly a replacement, is located beneath the barrel. A brown leather sling of uncertain vintage is attached at the forward swivel and is pinned behind the wrist. The firearm is unmarked, and the barrel and lockplate are considerably pitted. The forestock bears several cracks, with several slivers of wood missing. The muzzle end of the stock appears to be missing a brass cap, and the item as a whole bears expected age wear. It is possible that the bore was originally rifled and later converted to smoothbore. These "Jaeger" rifles were frequently used by Hessian mercenaries employed by the British during the American Revolution.