British Short Land Pattern 1769 "Brown Bess" Musket

American Revolution

.78 caliber. 42.125" pinned barrel with baluster turned rings at the breech. NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Single shot smoothbore muzzleloading flintlock military musket with no sights, socket bayonet stud on top of barrel 2.125" from the muzzle, sling swivels and a steel button head ramrod that is maker marked WG and rack numbered 2/14. Pre-1777 convex long sear spring lock measure 7.125" and is clearly engraved with the royal {Crown} over GR and with marked with a small {Crown-Broad Arrow} beneath the pan. It is engraved TOWER in an arc at the tail. The interior of the lock bears the maker's mark FG and a {Crown}/2 inspection mark. The "FG" is likely the mark of Farmer & Galton who had contracts to provide locks to the Board of Ordnance during the period of 1757-1774, the correct period for this type of lock. Two sets of mating marks are present inside the lock, both a single file slash and three slashes, with many of the internal parts appropriately marked and matched to the lock and the gun. The lock appears to be in original flint with the original integral rounded, fenced and bridled iron pan intact and the original hammer (frizzen) intact and marked to the lock. The swan neck cock appears to be original as well and also bears a correct mating mark, although it is very loose on the tumbler and the tumbler, bridle and sear may be old replacements. The mainspring is also an old replacement, as are a couple of the screws. The top of the breech is correctly marked with a {Crown}/GR/{Broad Arrow} and {Crown-Crossed Scepters} proofs. The wrist plate escutcheon is engraved A/51. No regimental mark is present on the barrel. The musket has three brass ramrod thimbles and an entry pipe with the second thimble a correct, pre-1777 pattern that is not of the "Pratt's Improvement" type. The brass furniture is of the correct style as well. These pre-1777 production "Short Land Pattern" Brown Bess muskets, which have been assigned the modern designation of Pattern 1769 Muskets, were produced circa 1768-1777 with an estimated production of only about 68,000 guns. As such, original examples of these guns are exceptionally rare, and while this is a well worn gun with a significant amount of stock damage and repair, it remains a solid example of a Revolutionary War era Brown Bess Musket. Includes a reproduction white buff leather sling. {ANTIQUE}

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Good. Bore dark, dirty, rusted and pitted. Metal moderately oxidized with indications of an old cleaning, a mottled dark and light steel gray patina and scattered pitting and surface roughness over the entire length of the barrel. Markings on the lock and barrel remains legible. Lock is mechanically functional with the cock loose on the tumbler and some internal parts apparently replaced. Most of the brass with a medium dull golden patina and shows numerous scratches, scuffs and impact marks. The pipes show evidence of old chemical cleaning. Wood fair to good with numerous repaired cracks, filled chips and slivers and damage noted, particularly to the forend. The stock is cracked completely through at the upper sling swivel with the jagged break crudely glued, a repair that should be stabilized and better executed. Wood shows a substantial number of bumps, dings and mars as well, was likely lightly sanded at some point in time and shows some remnants of old added finish. Some quality restoration and attention by a good wood worker would substantially enhance the overall appearance of this otherwise solid, if well worn example of a Short Land Pattern musket from the period of the American Revolution.

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Arms, Armor & Militaria

British Short Land Pattern 1769 "Brown Bess" Musket

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