Very Rare And Highly Desirable German Military Matchlock 'Fishtail' Musket Circa 1590

41 inch half round half octagonal barrel. 90 caliber bore.

This is the 100% genuine military musket used throughout Germany and of the same type brought to the New World and carried and used in Colonial America.

The heavy breech is struck with three lovely marks including the Suhl stamp, maker’s stamp “HC” and another “IAS”. Condition of the barrel rates very fine for a 4 century plus musket with smooth steel color throughout. Barrel has original front and rear sights. Octagonal breech ends in three decorative ‘wedding bands’.

Sear type matchlock lock struck with two marks in excellent condition. Original serpent retains original match cord thumbscrew. Pan and cover are original but slightly loose. Steel triggerguard is original.

The darkened walnut full stock is original and period not restocked as most matchlocks of this period are. The stock is beautifully proportioned with fluted fishtail butt, not the far more common club butt and pronounced thumb cut. The stock features fine incised line carving on all borders and on the fore-end. Stock rates excellent for the period with the expected minor worming and one tight crack at the end of the ramrod channel but retains almost all the original blackened finish.

Steel tipped ramrod possibly an old replacement. On right of stock is a brass museum collection plate engraved 2682.

54 and 1/2 inches overall. Mechanism works perfectly and bore is fair. Fishtail military matchlocks are among the most desirable guns of the period and this is a truly exceptional example certain to please the collector of American colonial muskets, early firearms or systems. Museum quality.