1779 "BROWN BESS" MUSKET, 2ND MODEL WITH BAYONET
Smoothbore flintlock musket, 42" barrel, 57" overall, .75 caliber, a British Ordnance 1779 Short Land Pattern musket, likely manufactured by contractor John Pratt, a standard service weapon of the British Army from 1768-1797, and used most notably by both sides during the American Revolution. The walnut stock runs to 4 1/4" behind the muzzle, and is capped in brass, with four brass tubes for the uncut steel button-ended ramrod. The weapon lacks sights, although the bayonet lug at the muzzle could be used as a rudimentary front sight. The trigger guard and buttplate are also brass, and a 1 1/4" x 2 1/2" plaque is present at the top of the wrist. This plaque is inscribed with the initials "W C" in cursive script. The steel lockplate is marked with a large and detailed crown over the initials "G R" (for "Georgius Rex"), next to a small "broad arrow" proof mark. The plate is further marked "TOWER" behind the hammer, indicating that the weapon was issued from the Royal Armory at the Tower of London. The top of the barrel at the breech is further marked "G R", with a small crown above and a board arrow below, as well as with the letters "I W" beneath a starburst, in addition to a third indistinct stamp. The flintlock action is very strong, with a half-cock, and cocks and fires smartly. The presence of the initialed plate and the lack of sling swivels may indicate ownership by an officer. The stock shows three small (less than 1") cracks radiating out from the breech end of the barrel, and the breech end of the barrel near the touch hole shows some pitting, with expected age wear throughout, else very good. Also present is a steel bayonet, not original to this weapon but an excellent fit, 20 3/4" long, with a 16" blade and a 4" socket. The inside of the blade is stamped with the "broad arrow" mark of the British government, beneath the name "HARVEY", beneath the numeral "6" surmounted by a crown, and beneath the numeral "8". The blade is warped slightly inward about halfway along its length, two minute cracks at the mortise, and expected surface oxidation and age wear, else very good.