Ketland & Co. Musket and Plain Powder Horn

Description:

Ketland & Co. Musket and Plain Powder Horn, London, England, c. 1785-1800, 41 3/4 in., .70 caliber round barrel with ring decorated breech, Gunmaker's Company of London proof marks and engraved "85" on top of the barrel in front of the lock; unbridled lock with straight convex surface plate with pointed tail engraved "KETLAND/& Co." below the pan, the interior marked "I" and with roman numeral assembly number "XIII" and round headed side nails also marked with assembly numbers "XIII"; simple military form walnut stock with an indistinct mark to the rear of the trigger guard and marked with assembly number "XIII" in the rammer channel; brass furniture generally of Land Pattern musket form including a butt plate with bead-end, trigger guard with acorn finial, thin side plate with assembly number "XIII" cut into its inner surface, long trumpeted upper rammer pipe, short trumpeted second rammer pipe, barrel-form third rammer pipe and similar entry pipe with long pointed tang, and sheet brass nose cap; original sling swivels; steel rammer engraved "G/31" just below the button head, all visible assembly numbers match, overall lg. 57 3/4 in.; with an undecorated powder horn with simple carved spout and flat pine base plug secured with five brass pins, lg. 15 in.

Provenance: Descended through an eastern Massachusetts family.

Note: The "85" engraved on the top of the barrel is likely an American inventory/identification number used for militia tracking purposes. The rammer marked "G/31" was likely originally associated with a British Short Land Pattern musket.
Estimate $800-1,200

Barrel, lock and rammer are toned to a deep mahogany brown, minor pitting around the vent and pan areas, rammer is spots of surface oxidation; the cock screw is a modern replacement, the steel screw is missing half of its head; stock is in very good condition with very minor scuffs, dings, and blemishes, and has a short crack at the upper side nail; brass is toned to a deep yellow.


Items may have wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords