Original War of 1812 U.S. Massachusetts Militia Flintlock Musket Daniel Dana of Canton, MA - Dated 1814

Original Item: Only One Available. Here we have a very nice Massachusetts Militia musket made during the War of 1812, but intended for local defense should the British attack the state. It was made, or at least assembled, by Daniel Dana of Canton, Massachusetts, who is listed in Seller's book "American Gunsmiths" on page 75. They appear to have been very well regarded at the time, and even worked with the Federal armories on some level.

This type of musket is in some ways similar to the "Model 1808 Contract" muskets made around the same time. However, as they were made directly for militias, they did not have to conform to the same specifications as the Federal armories, which is why it is made much more like a Brown Bess. It does not have barrel bands, and is fitted with all brass hardware, including the butt plate and ramrod pipes. It features a 40 1/2 inch long 0.69" smoothbore barrel, which has a small brass sight on the front and a bayonet stud on the bottom. The musket measures 55 1/4 inches long, and as is correct it does not have any sling swivels, as they were not required for militia muskets.

The lock plate is flat like a Model 1808 musket, and is marked with D. DANA at the bottom, for Daniel Dana of Canton, Massachusetts, a known maker of these early U.S. Martial muskets. The breech end of the barrel is marked with P and M, indicating it was Proved in Massachusetts, and below this is a boxed PC to the left, and a 1814 date to the right. We have attempted to find out what the "PC" marking indicates, but have unfortunately been unsuccessful, however most Dana militia muskets we have seen had this marking.

Overall condition is very good, showing a lovely aged patina on the metalwork, with some evidence of past pitting and oxidation, particularly around the touch hole, which is relatively worn. We can also see some past peppering on the top of the barrel. We checked the lock action, and it is strong and fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full.

The stock has a lovely color, though it has unfortunately suffered damage during service and possibly afterwards. It looks to have been cracked completely through at the wrist, running back along the top of the butt stock. This was repaired, but is still evident by looking at the stock in that areas. There also is cracking and chunks missing along the wood line on the fore stock area, with some more repairs present there. The original iron ramrod has been replaced with private purchase style iron example, which we have not been able to get out of the stock.

A very nice example of a hard to find early U.S. Militia musket, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1814
Caliber: 0.69"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 40 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 55 1/4 inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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