Counterstamps

G.F. GALE / (A. H. WA)TERS & CO. / MILLBURY MASS on an 1842 Braided Hair large cent. Brunk W-254 var., Rulau-Mass 46C var. Host coin Very Good.

Asa Waters Jr. (1769-1841) was an early gunsmith working in Sutton, MA from 1790 to 1812 and then in Millbury, MA from 1812 up to his death in 1841. His father, Asa Waters Sr. was also a gunsmith who died in 1813 after they had relocated to and set up business in Millbury. His son Asa Holman Waters joined him in the family business in 1833. Asa Jr. began contracting with the US government in 1818. All of the stamps are those used on his guns. It is unknown who G.F. Gale is, or if he was connected to Asa Waters. Tthe upper portion of the Waters stamp weakly impressed. This is the only known example with this combination of stamps and is the Brunk plate coin.

From the Steve M. Tompkins Collection. Earlier ex Stephen Tanenbaum.

Estimate: $ 175