The musket that fired the first shot at the Battle of Bunker Hill is for sale at an auction with a starting price of $50,000.
On June 17, 1775, colonial militia camped on Breed’s Hill outside Boston faced off against British forces. “Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes,” American Col. William Prescott ordered his men, but Pvt. John Simpson set off a shot early.
The British won the ensuing battle several days later, but suffered heavy losses compared to the Americans. The fight inspired the colonists who went on to win the Revolutionary War.
Simpson was court-martialed for disobeying orders and firing early, but he continued to serve and rose to the rank of major during the war.
The musket stayed in the Simpson family for 244 years.
