(GA.154) Flintlock Fusil
ARTIFACT NUMBERCCN 871495
Country of OriginContinental Army
Date18th Century
MATERIAL(S)Iron, Wood, Brass
Dimensions9 1/2 x 2 1/4 x 52 3/4 in. (24.1 x 5.7 x 134 cm); 6.04 lbs.
Credit LineU.S. Army Artifact, CCN 871495
DescriptionA .69 caliber, brass-mounted fusil with an overall length of approximately 53". The 37.25"L barrel has a hook breech and is octagonal at the breech. It is secured to the stock by three lateral flat keys and the upper sling swivel screw. There are three brass plates inlet into the top flat. The breech piece’s engraved tang is raised at the front and has a broad sighting groove. A raised, stylized shell-pattern raised stock plateau surrounds the tang. The pierced wrist escutcheons is in the form of a helmet over a shield with sword. The brass front sight is 3" behind the muzzle, and the top of the breech piece has a wide sighting groove and decorative engraving. A low, rectangular bayonet lug is under the barrel. 1.25" behind the muzzle. The 5-5/16" flat bevel-edged lock plate has border engraving. Because the decorative engraving evident throughout this arm does not extend to the external lock components, it is possible that it has been reconverted. The well-executed lock exhibits features of both English and French stylings. The furniture, including 10-1/8" trigger guard, is generally of the English configuration. The butt plate is 4-7/8" long. The convex-surfaced side plate is sculpted and has decorative engraving. There are four barrel-style ramrod thimbles; the upper two thimbles have flared mouths. There is a decorative escutcheon consisting of a plumed helmet over a shield, with a banner and musket, nailed to the stock's wrist. This musket is equipped with a button-headed steel ramrod and sling swivels. The 50”L walnut stock has a carved raised plateau around the tang, which ends in a stylized shell design at the rear. There are raised flats on both sides of the breech, and the forearm swells at the lower thimble. ProvenanceSamuel Coutty
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This arms maker was a continental contract armorer and also repaired arms for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary War. Coutty was also associated with Joseph Perkins in the gun and pistol industry during the Revolutionary War. An advertisement in the Pennsylvania Gazette of June 13, 1871, stated that they were located at the corner of Second and Spruce Streets in Philadelphia. Their arms, “of the neatest and best quality,” could be supplied on the “shortest notice and most reasonable terms.” This high-quality arm, probable the best described as a fusil, appears to have been made sometime between the end of the Revolutionary War and Coutty’s death in 1794.
ca. 1775
