This massive buck & ball musket is the product of early American gunsmith Joseph Perkin . It's signed PERKIN PHILADa on the top flat of it's 50 1/2" barrel which is .72 cal.. The top flat runs the entire length of the barrel terminating at the tear drop front sight. The rear sight is of a very unique design. I can't make out the name on the lock for certain but it may be PERKIN & CO. The silver wrist escutcheon is inscribed Thomas Allen 1797 . This may be a commemorative date has the rifle appears older then 1797. I did find a Thomas Allen who served in the 2nd Battalion Rifleman (Lancaster) Pa. during the Rev.War. Also, in the 5th Regt. (Fenton's) Pa. Militia in the War of  1812. Joseph Perkin was a gunsmith  who immigrated from England to New York City in 1771 . As war clouds gathered in 1775 he moved to Philadelphia so he could volunteer his services. In late 1775 he moved south to Fredericksberg, Va. where he went to work at Rappahannock Forge. In 1778 the British left Philadelphia and the Continental Congress Board of War established a Continental Armory in the City for the production and repair of guns.  In 1779 Perkin was appointed it's  Supervisor . After the war, Perkins continued as a gunmaker in Philadelphia until in 1792  Perkin  was asked to be operation manager of the New London Arsenal in Va.  In 1798 he was selected to be the Superintendent of the New Federal Armory at Harpers Ferry where he would remain until his death in 1806.  Joseph Perkin was a very vital player in the esablishment of our newly formed nation.   

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