Percussion Conversion of a Whitney 1822 Contract US Musket by P. & E.W. Blake

NSN, .69 Caliber, 42" barrel with a dark, pitted bore.  This is a first contract musket that was converted to a percussion arm by the cone type conversion.  The barrel has an overall plum-brown patina with areas of freckling and pitting along its length, heaviest towards the "JC" (James Carrington – barrel maker) marked breech.  The lock has a mostly matching patina, although the central portion of the lockplate has an area of mottled gray as well.  Clear markings are present on the plate: "US / P. & E.W. BLAKE" ahead of the hammer; and, "NEW HAVEN / 1828" behind (a matching 1828 date is present on the barrel tang).  Mild surface oxidation is present on the trigger guard.  The walnut stock has a dark oil finish, with numerous small handling marks and blemishes throughout, with a visible, but illegible cartouche on the left side, and carved initials on the left side of the buttstock: "AP".  The musket comes with a steel ramrod, and the lock is fully functional.  Philos and Eli Whitney Blake were Eli Whitney Sr.’s nephews and fulfilled the US contract following Eli Whitney Sr.’s death in 1825.  This  example of the output was arsenal converted to percussion at some point and is in good-near very good condition overall.  Antique