17th Century OHB Doglock Musket .77 Caliber 40.5” Flintlock Rifle
SOLD FOR: $1,083
WOA#: WY240120LC006
Make: OHB
Model: Doglock Musket (Early Flintlock)
Serial#: S 1758
Year of Manufacture: Antique
Caliber: .77 Caliber (10 Gauge)
Action Type: Flintlock (DogLock)
Markings: The top of the barrel at the rear sight is marked “M” with a stamp above it. The left side of the barrel is marked “S 1758”. The buttplate is marked “S”. The right side of the lock plate is marked “OHB”.
Barrel Length: 40.5”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a brass blade fixed to the barrel. The rear sight is a u-notch integral to the upper tang.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is one piece wood with three brass barrel bands, side plate, lock plate, straight comb, straight grip, brass buttplate, and groove in the bottom of the forend for ramrod. There are multiple spots of handling wear, minor scratches, scuffs, and small dents throughout. The right side of the buttstock has a large crack from the right side of the buttplate and runs to the lower tang. The first barrel band spring is removed. There is no ramrod with this musket. Overall, the stock is in Good Condition.
Type of Finish: Brass, Steel
Finish Originality: Original, Refinished Stock.
Bore Condition: The smoothbore is gray. There is no heavy pitting or erosion. There is some scattered faint corrosion.
Overall Condition: This flintlock rifle is in Very Good Condition. There is scattered freckled rust spread about the metal. There is tarnish on the brass. There is no deep pitting. The hammer moves smoothly and locks in the cocked position. The hammer slips sometimes. The frizzen face is worn from use but it opens and closes normally. The trigger functions correctly.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None.
Our Assessment: The 17th-century Doglock musket represents a pivotal development in the evolution of firearms technology and military tactics. This era marked a transition from matchlock muskets, which required a burning match to ignite the gunpowder, to the more reliable flintlock mechanisms that would dominate warfare in the following centuries. The doglock was an intermediate design, featuring a distinctive catch, or “dog,” that locked the hammer in place after it was cocked, preventing accidental discharge and making it safer for military use, especially among cavalry and naval personnel.
Originating in the early 17th century, the doglock musket was widely used by various European armies and navies, as well as by settlers and militias in the American colonies. It was particularly favored for its simplicity and reliability. The doglock mechanism allowed soldiers to ready their firearms more quickly and safely than the earlier matchlock muskets, a significant advantage during the heat of battle or while on horseback. This period saw significant military engagements, including the English Civil War (1642–1651), where such innovations in firearms technology began to change the face of combat.
The doglock musket’s influence extended beyond the battlefield. It played a role in the early colonial wars in North America, contributing to the armed capabilities of European settlers and impacting indigenous populations. The design and technology of the doglock musket laid the groundwork for the later development of the flintlock mechanism, which would become the standard for military and civilian firearms for the next two centuries. As such, the doglock musket occupies an important place in military history, bridging the gap between early modern warfare and the innovations that would shape the future of armed conflict. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.
