1794 Contract Musket with Imported Ketland Lock,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, c. 1800.
43 7/8 in., .77 caliber round barrel, the left side of the breech with 'P,' eagle's head and 'V' proof marks; flat lock plate with pointed tail marked 'UNITED/STATES,' and the inside marked 'KETLAND'; walnut stock marked on the flat behind the side plate 'V/[???]V' and indistinct scratched initials on the right side of the butt; iron furniture of proper form, the trigger guard with pointed finials, the inside surface of the side plate marked 'D' and 'S,' with sling swivels and later steel rammer with button head and plain end.
Overall lg. 58 5/8 in.
Footnotes:
Provenance
Dave Kleiner, February 25, 2006.

Note
At least 1,746 locks were imported from English gunmakers Thomas and John Ketland and used in the production of 1794 contact muskets. (Peter A. Schmidt, U.S. Military Flintlock Muskets and Their Bayonets, The Early Years 1790-1815, (Woonsocket, R.I.; Andrew Mowbray Publishers, 2006), pp. 25-27).

Metal polished bright, breech with light pitting, vent may have been bushed, top jaw and jaw screw are replacements, lock functions properly; stock has dings and dents, the left side of the butt has been shaved to form a cheek rest, small loss at toe, rammer is not original.