Contemporary Dutch-Style Flintlock Snaphaunce Musket

Contemporary Dutch-Style Flintlock Snaphaunce Musket

John B. Derrick (American, b.1936)

.77 caliber. 46" two stage octagonal to round barrel length. SN: NSN. Bright metal finish. Full length walnut stock has a flared Dutch-style buttstock, carved thumb rest to right side of grip, and a forearm with elk horn fittings and incised lines. Snaphance action smoothbore musket with notch rear sight and silver blade front sight. Item features carved elk horn fittings on left face of buttstock that appear to be Diana and a cherub, preceded by a fitting showing several entangled grotesque animals. Above those fittings are three mother of pearl fittings that show grotesques intertwined with a knotwork pattern. Right side of butt has elk horn fittings that appear to show an Echidna holding a skull, preceded by an arabesque design. Above those fittings are three mother of pearl fittings, one of a grotesque intertwined with knotwork and two knotwork without figures. Both sides of forearm have carved elk horn neoclassical knotwork panels followed by foot prints and hoof prints in succession. Side panel is fitted with a carved elk horn panel with devil grotesques holding a banner with lines from the poem "The Garden" by Andrew Marvell, which reads Annihilating All that's made/To a green thought/In the green shayde. Bottom edge of stock has a carved elk horn filigree fitting, and top of wrist has a neoclassical elk horn fitting that reads JD/Fecit. Buttplate is cast silver in the neoclassical style, with a pierced center showing a vignette of a grotesque above what appears to be Diana. Bottom edge of buttstock has a cast silver filigree fitting. Triggerguard is cast silver with grotesque and neoclassical details. Ferrules are cast silver with single oak leaves, and ferrule throat is cast in the shape of a swan. Forend cap is also cast silver with floral motifs. Top of wrist features a cast silver grotesque. Lock is from the Rifle Shoppe. Included with item is a wood ramrod with carved elk horn tip.

Arms, Armor & Militaria

Good to very good. Bore is bright. Finish has some darkened patina behind front sight and some light sprinkled pitting overall. Wood stock is in good condition. Action may need work, spring is very strong and was unable to be cocked into firing position.