A VERY GOOD+ REVOLUTIONARY PRODUCTION PATTERN 1777 SECOND MODEL/SHORTLAND BROWN BESS MUSKET, ca. 1778: In overall very good+ untouched original flintlock condition. Standard, 42″, iron, .78 caliber, pin-fastened, smoothbore, barrel with its top-mounted bayonet lug/sight: retains deeply toned, untouched dark metal surfaces with a faint vestige of center-line proof-marks and baluster turnings. The side of the breech with an “R.W.” maker’s mark and the tang with an old crack. Regulation shortland pattern Walnut fullstock with a raised-carved, beavertail apron around the barrel tang, a pronounced lobe at the tail pipe and a deeply fluted comb, on the buttstock. The right face of the butt with a visible, non-dated “Storekeeper’s mark. Also marked with two (2) Crown Acceptance marks behind the trigger guard and with various Board of Ordnance markings, in the ramrod channel. Regulation Pattern 1777 Board of Ordnance accepted lock with its correct “Wartime” notched gooseneck hammer and field-replaced?, earlier type, trefoil-finial frizzen spring. Bridled powder-pan and original frizzen with untouched steel surfaces. Marked with a Crown/GR Royal Cypher and with a faint Crown/Broad Arrow Acceptance mark, under the powder pan. The tail of the lockplate correctly marked “Tower”. Regulation Pattern P. 1777 Shortland Pattern/Second Model brass hardware: four baluster ramrod pipes, the second pipe of “Pratt’s Improvement”; and dates the gun to, ca. 1778/79. The trigger guard with a raised hazelnut forward finial and the buttplate with its three-stepped tang. Flat sideplate with a tail, two iron sidebolts and a vacant shield-type wrist escutcheon: pin-fastened nose-cap. In overall very good+ untouched original flintlock condition with a dark and finely toned age-patina to the metal and wooden surfaces. The stock with sharp contours, richly oxidized, untouched patination and the expected signs of use and handling. Some scattered light abrasions, 85% finish, minor chips and wear. The barrel and lock, en suite with a generally smooth, gunmetal age-patina with scattered patches of moderate pitting and wear. Very good lock with visible markings: a strong mainspring/though out of timing. Untouched brass hardware with pleasing brown-mustard surfaces. Complete with its iron button-head ramrod and missing its sling swivels. A very nice and classic example of a Wartime made/Revolutionary War Production Second Model/Shortland Pattern 1777 Brown Bess Musket, ca. 1778. ***For a similar example, please see G. C. Neumann’s: “Battle Weapons of the American Revolution”, pg. 65. Overall length, 58”.
Images and description courtesy of Paul’s Antique Arms & Armour at: http://www.ambroseantiques.com/flongarms.htm