Chubb, the insurer whose predecessor company had paid the insurance claim in 1969, became the legal owner of the musket.
Stolen Revolutionary War-Era musket found, returned to Philadelphia museum
At a ceremony hosted at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, the FBI Art Crime Team, Philadelphia Field Office, Chubb, and their partners have successfully repatriated a musket from the revolutionary era that was stolen from Valley Forge in October 1968.
In April 2024, the FBI released a report on several historical artifacts that were still missing from the theft. Shortly after, the investigative team received a tip from a member of the public regarding the whereabouts of the musket. Following this lead, investigators were able to trace the musket to an antique firearms collector in Maryland.
Upon meeting with the collector, it was determined that they had no involvement in the 1968 theft and were unaware of the musket's stolen history. The collector willingly surrendered the musket to the FBI Art Crime Team.
Chubb, the insurer whose predecessor company had paid the insurance claim in 1969, became the legal owner of the musket. The company generously donated it to the Museum of the American Revolution, officially transferring ownership during the ceremony on July 1st.
“Investigating art and cultural property crime requires diligence, commitment, and collaboration as these cases often cross jurisdictions and may span decades,” said Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of FBI Philadelphia. “We appreciate the assistance from our partners here today, and we thank members of the public who provide tips that are integral to these cases so that we can do our best to investigate, recover, and return to the public domain important artifacts such as this historic firearm that help document our American history.”
“The theft of this musket from the museum kept countless visitors and historians from appreciating and studying it,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “Today’s repatriation rights the wrong that was done so many years ago, reopening a window to the past. It’s an honor to help recover and preserve a piece of cultural property that helps tell the story of our nation’s valiant struggle for independence.”
Maria Thackston, vice president and mid-Atlantic regional claims executive at Chubb, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return the historic Revolutionary War musket to the Museum of the American Revolution. Thackston highlighted the exceptional collaboration among all partners involved and expressed excitement for future generations to experience this piece of history.
"Chubb is honored to gift this historic Revolutionary War musket to its rightful home at the Museum of the American Revolution," said Maria Thackston, vice president and mid-Atlantic regional claims executive at Chubb. "There’s been extraordinary collaboration among all partners involved, and we are thrilled future generations will have the opportunity to experience this piece of history."
"We are so thankful to our law enforcement and insurance partners for helping to bring this historic artifact back into the public trust,” said Dr. R. Scott Stephenson, president and CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution. “Repatriating the New England musket to our Museum will allow for it to be cared for, further studied and put on display, all of which can inform our evolving understanding of the Revolutionary era and ensure its enduring relevance.”
Special Agent in Charge Jacobs and U.S. Attorney Romero expressed their gratitude to the Upper Merion Township Police Department and Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office for their support. They also acknowledged the contributions of Assistant U.S. Attorney K.T. Newton and the FBI Philadelphia Art Crime Team in handling this case, as well as the Museum of the American Revolution and the Chubb Corporation for their ongoing collaboration.
The FBI, along with our partners, continues to pursue leads in the search for more Revolutionary War-era firearms and artifacts that were stolen from Valley Forge on October 24, 1968. Authorities are also working to recover additional stolen items from various locations in Pennsylvania and New York.
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