W.L. Evans of Valley Forge built this U.S. Model 1816 flintlock under his government contract of the late 1820s; it is stamped 1830 at the rear of the lock and again on the tang. Evans turned out close to 5,000 of them. The .69 smoothbore tube runs 42 inches, keeps a good share of its browning with darker patches and speckling by the vent, and is stamped at the rear with Luther Sage's LS, a US and a P. The lock reads W.L.EVANS above an eagle above V. FORGE.

Furniture is a quiet dark brown, the lock has gone brown and gray, and the lock internals carry a matching X. The forward band's blade took a small dent. The wood wears an older refinish but keeps crisp lines, no splits or missing pieces, and a readable LS cartouche; sling loops and rod are present and the lock snaps as it should. A North Carolina collector of U.S. flintlock muskets will see it as a cut above the usual Model 1816.

Key features

• .69 caliber smoothbore, 42-inch barrel
• W.L. Evans contract, dated 1830
• Lock marked W.L.EVANS, eagle, V. FORGE
• Breech stamped LS, US and P proof
• Swivels and ramrod present, action functions

Antique muskets like this ship to a licensed North Carolina dealer for pickup.