Requesting Help Identifying Old Musket

[Chessmen]

Hey guys,

I'm interested in seeing if anyone may be able to help me with identifying a musket that was handed down to me. There are a few markers that I'm hoping will be able to provide some clues. I haven't found much on the Eagle in photo 1 but I do believe that the 4 markets in Photo 3 should be enough for someone who knows what they're looking at based on my bit of research. If I can provide any more helpful info or pictures please let me know.

Is it a good or bad idea to try and clean up the rust on the barrel?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Chessmen]

Closer photo of the markings

 

[MAPMFF]

Better image of the markings on the lock face?

 

[springfield art]

Closer photo of the markings

Kind of looks like one of the African 'trade muskets' you saw advertised in the early 1960's. Bit 'clunky' looking, but will be fun to clean up!

 

[springfield art]

Hey guys,

I'm interested in seeing if anyone may be able to help me with identifying a musket that was handed down to me. There are a few markers that I'm hoping will be able to provide some clues. I haven't found much on the Eagle in photo 1 but I do believe that the 4 markets in Photo 3 should be enough for someone who knows what they're looking at based on my bit of research. If I can provide any more helpful info or pictures please let me know.

Is it a good or bad idea to try and clean up the rust on the barrel?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Also, touchhole all wrong as to placement. Way too high above the pan.

 

[user 48679]

I have no clue who made it, or where, but the "U" touch mark looks like it might have been imported into Germany some time after 1950.

 

[hawkeye2]

A typical trade musket made for sale to the indigenous in 3rd. world countries. Most likely made in Belgium and they were sold in this country by various importers from the 1950s through the 80s and possibly later. You can oil it and call the rust patina or polish it bright, it's not likely to hurt its value. These are fairly common and it could be a nice decorator item.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Also, touchhole all wrong as to placement. Way too high above the pan.

Look again friend. It’s near the bottom of the pan

 

[Notchy Bob]

I don't recognize the proof marks, but I would agree with those who identified it as a Belgian trade musket. That two-piece, back-action flintlock was typical. Dixie Gun Works used to sell a Belgian flintlock "elephant gun" in 4 gauge smoothbore that had a lock like that. If your gun has an enormous bore, close to an inch in diameter, it may be one of those. I know Dixie was selling them in the 1960's, and possibly a bit later.

Notchy Bob

 

[MAPMFF]

Belgian was what my initial thought was also, the Eagle mark threw me off a bit at first, assumed that wasn't part of the original lock face.

 

[rickystl]

Yes, Posts #7 and 9 are correct. I owned a similar one with the two-piece lock back in 1964.

Rick

 

[Chessmen]

When might this have been originally made?

 

[BEP]

Does it have a two-piece stock as well, with the pieces butted together under that rear barrel band? This was pretty common with this type of musket. Also on post #2, the photo appears to show a crack or split in the barrel. Is there one?

 

[springfield art]

A typical trade musket made for sale to the indigenous in 3rd. world countries. Most likely made in Belgium and they were sold in this country by various importers from the 1950s through the 80s and possibly later. You can oil it and call the rust patina or polish it bright, it's not likely to hurt its value. These are fairly common and it could be a nice decorator item.

Leave it dark! Won't look right bright.

 

[springfield art]

Look again friend. It’s near the bottom of the pan

Will do.