Frontier Firearms from the Lifetime Collection of Larry Ness

.58 caliber. 40.25" octagon to round wedge-retained barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, European hardwood half stock. Reconverted stepped flat flint lock with teat at rear is unmarked. Barrel with "E/LG/*" in an oval Liege proof mark, with hooked breech and simple decorative engraving on the top flat. The gun is mounted with an extremely attractive four-piece brass "horse head" patchbox that is decorated with simple geometric engraved patterns around the periphery. The patchbox release is located in the buttplate tang. There is a lightly engraved cut-out brass toe plate with the decorative cut out inlaid in the toe of the stock. The raised cheek rest is decorated with an engraved brass arched foliate spray, as is the reverse butt. Delicate silver wire is inlaid in flowing patterns around the reverse butt, wrist and around the tang. A German silver thumb piece is inlaid on the top of the wrist with engraved decorations. The two brass lock screw escutcheons are engraved in patterns that match the brass stock adornments. The overall fit, balance and feel of the is of an extremely high quality English fusil from the last quarter of the 18th century but was produced in Belgium, likely during the 1820s-1840s. The gun was almost certainly full-stocked originally and was altered to half stock during the period of use. The wooden rib under the barrel and accompanying ramrod pipes appear to be more recent additions and the striped wood rammer appears contemporary as well. A really lovely high grade trade fusil with an extremely attractive horse head patchbox.