A VERY GOOD+ AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR FIRST MODEL/LONGLAND PATTERN 1756 BROWN BESS MUSKET, by “WILLETS”, Dtd. 1762: In overall very good+ untouched original flintlock condition. .78 caliber, 45″, baluster turned-breech, pin-fastened, smoothbore, iron barrel with its top-mounted bayonet lug/sight: the breech–top with two Board of Ordnance proof marks. Untouched, gunmetal brown-gray, generally smooth, steel surfaces with some scattered light pitting and patches of discoloration: slightly reduced muzzle-tip and a refaced frizzen (indicate prolonged American Rev. War Use). Regulation-Pattern, thread engraved, P. 1756 lock with its bridled powder-pan, rounded banana-form lockplate and its matching gooseneck: the hammer—retaining-screw an American working-life replacement. Clearly marked with a Crown “GR” Royal cypher and with a Crown/Broad Arrow acceptance mark, under the pan. The tail of the lock with a “WILLETS/1762” contractor’s/maker’s marking. In mechanically functional order with a strong mainspring and its original components. The lockplate, hammer and frizzen with a gunmetal gray age patina with some light patches of discoloration/fine pitting—refaced frizzen and some light wear to the markings. Board of Ordnance marked, Regulation, Longland Pattern fullstock with molded and carved teardrop borders around the lock (minor chips) and sideplate, a raised lobe at the ramrod entry pipe and a deeply fluted comb, on the buttstock. The stock with sharp contours, smooth surfaces, some scattered handling marks, 75%+ finish, tight hairlines, minor abrasions, slivered losses, on the forestock and at the barrel-tang with a clear Board of Ordnance Storekeeper’s mark, on the right side of the butt. A “TF”? Stock-maker’s mark, behind the sideplate and two (2) Crown/Numeric acceptance marks, behind the trigger-guard: the ramrod channel with various inspector’s marks. Additionally adorned with numerous “I*DB”, “SR”, “CM”, “RMcL” & “H” hand-carved, American, soldier’s/owner’s initials, on both sides of the buttstock: a clear indication of American Wartime use. Regulation Pattern brass mounts: the trigger-guard with a raised hazelnut finial, a long stepped buttplate, a vacant shield-type wrist-escutcheon, a raised sideplate with a tail, a pin-fastened nose-cap and four (4) baluster form ramrod pipes for the American-made/working-life, iron ramrod. The furniture with a smooth, untouched, mellowed, dark-mustard age patina and sharp contours. In overall very good+ original flintlock condition with richly oxidized untouched metal & wooden surfaces. A classic example of an American-Used French & Indian/Revolutionary War Pattern 1756 Longland Pattern Brown Bess Musket, dtd. 1762. Overall length, 61”.
Images and description courtesy of Paul’s Antique Arms & Armour at: http://www.ambroseantiques.com/flongarms.htm