^Lot 5305 RARE EARLY FRENCH & INDIAN WAR ERA CARVED INDIAN

TRADE MUSKET, CIRCA 1745. Cal. 60. NSN. This is about as early a trade gun as you will find, lock signed "Lejay Duclos / St Etienne", active 1720s-1740s, octagonal to round 43.75" barrel. Rarely seen is this engraved raised steel serpent sideplate and unique carved beavertail and carved molding around lock and breech tang. Triggerguard and buttplate are taken from early French military musket. Walnut stock is all iron mounted including ramrod pipes and iron ramrod with attached worm. In addition to the carved moldings there is incised line moldings following entire length of barrel channel and ramrod channel. This rarely seen style of carving is noted on mid-18th century New England & Hudson Valley fowlers. CONDITION: very good, overall appears complete and original, other than replaced sideplate screw, original flintlock configuration, stock is sound with old glued toe repair, there is an unrepaired crack in the wrist. Mechanics are functional, clear smooth bore. PROVENANCE: William W. Ivey collection. (01-29037/JS). ANTIQUE. $7,000-9,000.