Exceptional D. S. Nippes Experimental/Field Trials Maynard Percussion Conversion of a Model 1840 Flintlock Musket The musket is a Model 1840 flintlock that was manufactured in 1842 by D. S. Nippes and was then selected by Nippes as one of 2,000 arms converted to the Maynard tape primer system and delivered them between late 1848 until late August 1849. They were issued in batches to various units for field trials. Unlike later battle experiments with the Maynard system, the trial results were favorable enough that a simplified version of a lock with integral tape primer was used on the Model 1855 series and thousands of arms converted by the Frankford Arsenal. By the outbreak of the Civil War, the weaknesses of the Maynard system in damp conditions had been seen in the field leading to the system being abandoned by the Ordnance Department. It likely did not hurt that this system would have been more expensive to manufacture and supply primers for than standard percussion locks and caps. This example retains the original armory bright finish, blade front sight, bayonet stud, stock, and smoothbore barrel. The changes were the replacement of the flintlock components with a percussion hammer and a Maynard tape mechanism as well as the fitting of a drum bolster to the barrel. It is marked "MILL/CREEK/PA/1841" on the lock, and "EDWARD MAYNARD/PATENTED/1845" is on the primer door. The barrel has standard inspection markings and is dated "1842" on the tang. The stock has "JCB" and "WAT" cartouches as well as a pair of small inspection stamps (likely added when the converted musket was reinspected). Matching "OS" assembly markings are on the barrel behind the bolster and in the lock inlet. The primer mechanism is marked "SP4" on the back. Manufacturer: Nippes D. Model: 1840 BBL: 42 inch round Stock: walnut Gauge: 69 Finish: bright Grips: Serial Number: NSN Class: Antique Condition: Excellent. The metal remains bright and has some spots of minor patination and oil staining. There are some tool marks likely imprinted during the conversion process on the breech. The stock is also excellent and has an overcoat of protective varnish. There are only a limited number of scrapes and pressure marks and a few small surface chips. The musket is mechanically excellent and has crisp markings throughout.

  • Condition: See Description

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by Rock Island Auction Company
December 3, 2016 9:00 AM CST
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, IL, US 61201

Rock Island Auction Company

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