I recently purchased a US Musket, Model 1816 with the date of 1831 on the gun and the place, Phila. and the maker, Wickam. It is still in flint lock form and seems completely original, still sparks nicely and looks good. However I noticed something after I bought the gun, didn't notice it till I got home. It has a small rear sight inserted in the band nearest the lock. It's quite small, apparently a small notch was cut into the band and a simple sight brased onto it. I don't know if any of these came from the arsenal like this or it was added later. Anyone know anything about this or would you care to conjecture on its origin? I don't think it was some post Civil War "SPORTERIZED" job as no wood has been removed and it still has a 12 lb trigger pull and weighs over 10 lbs and came fitted with what appears to be an original bayonet surcharged US. tHANKS
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