| Founded in 1998, PAUL M. AMBROSE ANTIQUES specializes in the sale of high quality, original European and American, Antique Guns, Antique firearms and Antique weapons. Created with the customer in mind, it is our duty to provide the customer with the honesty and integrity he or she deserves. Too often, in today's business world, this is not always the practice. I have been an avid collector of antiques, particularly firearms, for more than thirty-five years; and like all collectors, I expect my purchases to be accurately described and fairly priced. I believe that my business is a reflection of this commitment and I'm sure you will too. |
A VERY RARE FRENCH & INDIAN WAR/AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR PERIOD PATTERN 1742 FIRST MODEL/LONGLAND BROWN BESS MUSKET, ca. 1745: In overall very good+ original flintlock condition. Regulation Pattern, round, pin-fastened, 46", sighted, .78 caliber, smoothbore, iron barrel with smooth untouched surfaces and a very good touch-hole and bore. The top of the breech marked with an "I.F." maker's-mark {James Farmer (1715-1773) a noted Contract to the Board of Ordnance, ca. 1740s Please see H. L. Blackmore's: "Gunmakers of London..., pg. 91} . Regulation Pattern 1742 lock with matching untouched steel-gray-colored surfaces, en suite with barrel. Early Banana form lockplate with a single bridle-screw, behind its gooseneck hammer, a trefoil finial frizzen spring and a rounded frizzen of early Brown Bess form. Marked with a scant-trace of the American-Soldier Effaced Contractor's name/date, on its tail; and the center of the lockplate with a completely effaced "Crown/GR" Royal Cypher: retains its Board of Ordnance Crown/Broad Arrow marking, under the rounded bridled powder-pan. ***The removal of the Royal Cypher & Contractor's name/date was a common practice of Colonial American Soldiers, who either out of fear of reprisal from, or out of contempt of the British, removed the Ryoal/Crown markings from captured English Arms... please see G. C. Neumann's: "Battle Weapons of the American Revolution". Regulation English Longland Pattern 1742 walnut fullstock with a raised-carved beaver-tail apron, around the barrel tang and a pronounced raised lobe, on the handrail-- at the ramrod entry pipe. The right side of the buttstock with a visible Storekeeper's mark and also, marked, in the ramrod-channel with Board of Ordnance Acceptance marks. Pattern 1742 full brass hardware: the buttplate with a long, pin-fastened, 3-stepped tang. The trigger-guard with a raised hazelnut forward finial. A raised sideplate with a tail-- and its two (2) iron sidebolts. Four (4) barrel-form ramrod pipes (for the original wooden rammer). A vacant Shield wrist-escutcheon and correctly made without an end/nose-cap (please see G. Neumann's: "Battle Weapons", pg. 59). In overall very good+, original flintlock condition. Retains smooth, untouched, iron surfaces with an evenly toned, gunmetal-to-russet-colored age-patina with (expected) patches of discoloration, light salt & pepper, age-stains and signs of use. In mechanically functional order with a strong mainspring and good timing. Very good stock with signs of Colonial American usage and 85%+ finish. Smooth wooden surfaces with several old tight hairlines/repairs, scattered handling marks, minor abrasions and signs of "Field use". The brass furniture/hardware with a smooth golden-mustard-colored age-patina. A Very Rare, Early and Seldom Seen Pattern 1742 Longland Pattern/First Model Brown Bess Musket, ca. 1745 with obvious signs of American Use. Complete with its original wooden ramrod with brass tip and both of its sling-swivels. Overall length, 61 1/2". ****For similar examples and additional information, please see G. C. Neumann’s: “Battle Weapons of the American Revolution”, pg. 59 & A. Darling's: "Red Coat & Brown Bess". Price: POR |
