Rare Massachusetts Flintlock Fowler-Musket Marked "Boston Indep't Cadets" Dated 1786 (AL5270)

Overall length is approximately 56½”. The 41¾” round .69 caliber barrel has a fair/good smooth bore with a “P” over eagle over “V” inspector’s stamp at the breech. It has a brass blade front sight approximately 3¾” from the muzzle, it is nearly smooth with the barrel. There is a bayonet lug at the bottom approximately 1⅜” from the muzzle. The barrel has a brown patina. It has wrench/vise marks on either side from the breech to about 4¾” forward. The lock has an S cock with the cock and internal parts numbered “5”. It is marked “D. Dana/Canton”. In American Gunsmiths by Seller (p. 87) and The New England Gun by Lindsay (P. 161), Daniel Dana worked in Canton, Massachusetts, in the late 18^th and 19^th centuries. He is known for Committee of Safety muskets and 1798 contract muskets. The brass furniture, to include three ramrod pipes, the trigger guard, the butt plate, and the side plate, are very good. The rear tang of the trigger guard is stamped “Boston Indep’t Cadets”. The side plate is engraved “1786”. The barrel is fastened with three keys. The stock is very good with scattered light use nicks and dings, and an old small chip at the front of the lock. It is equipped with an iron ramrod. The action functions correctly.

The Cadets have a fascinating history, which can easily be found on the internet. They were founded in July 1726 as “Company of Young Gentleman Cadets”. In October 1741, they were redesignated as the “Independent Company of Cadets”. In 1772, John Handcock was elected commander but was dismissed by the Royal governor, Lt. General Gage, in 1774. The Independent Company of Cadets disbanded in protest. In mid-1776, after the British evacuated Boston, the cadets reorganized as the “Independent Company of Cadets”. The cadets provided the officer cadre from a new Continental Army regiment formed in early 1777. The cadets were mobilized in April 1777 and served in Rhode Island for three tours, inactive until 1785. In 1786, they were formally reorganized as the “Independent Company of Cadets” One duty was to serve as the Governor’s official bodyguard. They were mobilized for service during the Shay’s Rebellion and provided Honor Guards to distinguished visitors, including 1789 and 1793 visits by President George Washington. Their distinguished service continued through World War II. This Boston Independent Cadets musket-fowler is a great piece of history. Few musket-fowlers are extant and even fewer can be identified to a specific unit. It would be a great fit for a Revolutionary War, a Massachusetts musket, or New England musket-fowler collection.