Muzzleldrs Paper with soldier name found in my musket buttplate. NEW provenance info added on 1/18/14.

Well we don't know for sure until we find more information on Jacob Havens. What if he was discharged for some reasons before 1865? It would be interesting to find out.

It looks like from some of the further threads about Havens that he did not muster out till the end of the war. I wonder if specific battles (in addition to knowing the owner) would affect the price of the weapon.

Such a great find, I am so jealous!
 
No more oil on it please. Go to Woodcraft and buy yourself a can of Renaissance Wax. Developed by the British Museum, it's microcrystalline, PH neutral and is good for preserving wood, metal and leather and used by museum conservators worldwide.

Great find!
Gary - I recently acquired a M1833 Dragoon Saber (sadly no identifying notes hidden anywhere). Should I use Renaissance Wax on it?
 
Insurance companies, antique dealers, etc require provenance with any item. With the gun's pedigree, if you will, showing who owned it and when, along with that person's life story....will increase not only the value of the gun itself but will also give it a very important place in keeping our country's history available to all.

It's monetary value is sure to skyrocket as time goes by because of the documented history of the gun and it's owner. It's historic value will remain priceless.

--BBF
 
That's what I was talking about. With this unexpected discovery documenting the provenance of the weapon, I've been asking myself if it were mine would I keep it ? or put it back on the market and make a substantial profit ?
 
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Just a spectacular find! I don't have access to Fold3. Has anyone searched for him there? Perhaps there are still some direct ancestors of Mr. Havens around Brick, and perhaps they are wealthy and/or would want this rifle very badly. $$$
 
Gosh, what a very cool thread to read. It's too amazing when History walks up to your front door and knocks on it- these stories always delight anyone who likes it, I guess. I know it was disapointing coming to the end here.

Probably be a different answer, on selling it or keeping it fron various people depending on a ton of things? If it were me, and there was no need of cash for some emergency household requirement, sure as heck would keep it. Always feel we're more custodians than owners of these old things anyway, like a job or responsibility? If I'm talking nonsense, feel free anyone to witch at me on the point, since I know zero about muskets/rifles/cannons.

Congratulations regardless, thanks for a great thread!
 
Sorry Dave, this part of my 1st reply got mixed up with your quote.

I didn't apply anything to it. Maybe I should take it out and display it but I would have to cut it off from the glued edge. Not sure if I feel comfortable doing that. Also, wouldn't that make it harder to prove that it came with this musket?

Absolutely incredible find! FWIW, I think that cutting it off would be a huge mistake. It has survived this long by being safely secured under that buttplate, removing it only increases the chances that it gets destroyed or lost.
 
FrankN
You could consider getting a replacement buttplate either a repro or possibly an original and putting it on the rifle, and putting your's with the paper away for safer keeping. Look up S&S Firearms of Staten Island, NY. 718-497-1100, I dont't think they have a web site. I have a catalogue of theirs which is about 3 years old, it lists original 61 Springfield buttplates for $45-85.
 
FrankN
You could consider getting a replacement buttplate either a repro or possibly an original and putting it on the rifle, and putting your's with the paper away for safer keeping. Look up S&S Firearms of Staten Island, NY. 718-497-1100, I dont't think they have a web site. I have a catalogue of theirs which is about 3 years old, it lists original 61 Springfield buttplates for $45-85.
OK, they do have a website: http://www.ssfirearms.com/categories.asp?cat=27
 
Just saw this great thread. What an awesome find. It does have so much more value with name of owner. As Bonny stated all the evidence you can find to accompany the gun will make it more valuable.
 
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