A VERY RARE & DESIRABLE AMERICAN-CAPTURED REGIMENTALLY MARKED (47th. LANCASHIRE REGT.?) FRENCH & INDIAN/AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR PERIOD FIRST MODEL/LONGLAND PATTERN 1756 BROWN BESS MUSKET, by "EDGE", dtd. 1762: In overall very good+ original flintlock condition. Regulation, .78 caliber, 46", pin-fastened, smoothbore, iron barrel with its top-mounted bayonet lug/sight and very good bore and touchhole with expected signs of use. Worn proof marks and the breech–top with an American effaced “47? REGT.” (very worn/nearly obliterated) Regimental Mark; likely for the 47th British (Lancashire) Regiment of Foot, who first entered North America (Canada), in 1750 and fought, at the Battles of Fort Louisbourg (1758) & Quebec (1759), during the French & Indian War (1756-1763). During the American Revolution, the 47th Regiment arrived in New Jersey, in 1773 and later fought, at the Battles of Lexington & Concord, Bunker Hill (1775) and Saratoga (1777), where it was captured and interned, until returning to England, in 1783. (Please see A. Darling's: "Redcoat & Brown Bess" & https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/47th-lancashire-regiment-foot). Retains generally smooth, dark, iron surfaces with scattered patches of discoloration, pitting and signs of use and wear. Thread engraved lock/mechanism of Regulation Pattern 1756 design with a rounded banana-form lockplate, its original gooseneck hammer with a Colonial American made jaw-screw and its trefoil finial frizzen spring. Original American Blacksmith refaced frizzen with signs of use and marked with a worn Crown/“GR” (George III) Royal Cypher and with a Board Arrow Board of Ordnance Acceptance mark, under the bridled powder-pan. In mechanically functional order with a strong mainspring and fine timing. The lockplate, hammer and frizzen with matching, dark, steel surfaces with patches of discoloration, pitting and wear. Of pre-1763 configuration, as marked with a “EDGE” (Board of Ordnance Contractor)/maker's signature and with a "1762" date of manufacture, on its lockplate-tail. Regulation Longland Pattern/1st Model Brown Bess, walnut, fullstock with molded and carved teardrop borders, around the lock and sideplate mortises, a deeply fluted comb, on the buttstock and a raised beavertail apron, around the barrel-tang. The right side of the buttstock with sharp Storekeeper’s mark and is marked, behind the trigger-guard with two Cron/Numeric Acceptance marks. Very good stock with sharp contours, smooth surfaces, scattered handling marks, 85%+ finish and minor old repairs. Full brass mounts of Regulation Longland design: the trigger-guard with a raised hazelnut forward finial, a long stepped buttplate, a raised sideplate with a tail, a pin-fastened nose-cap and four (4) ramrod pipes for the original? button-head iron ramrod. A "C/4" "Company-4" Marked Shield type wrist escutcheon. Fine furniture with richly toned brass surfaces and sharp contours. In overall very good original flintlock condition with pleasing metal & wooden surfaces. A Very Rare example of an American Revolutionary War Used Regimentally Marked Longland/1st Model Brown Bess Musket, dtd. 1762. The type of arm supplied to British Troops stationed in the Colonies, before & during the early part of the American Revolution. For additional information and similar examples, please see G. C. Neumann’s: “Battle Weapons of the American Revolution” & Anthony D. Darling’s: “Red Coat & Brown Bess”. A Very Rare American Captured and Used Regimentally Marked Longland Pattern/First Model Brown Bess Musket which was likely Captured early in the War, at Lexington & Concord or Bunker Hill, when the British were still using this Model of Musket. Overall length, 61”. Price: POR |
