A REVOLUTIONARY WAR “EMERGENCY PRODUCTION” SHORTLAND PATTERN/SECOND MODEL PATTERN 1778 LIEGE CONTRACT BROWN BESS MUSKET, ca. 1778-79: Slightly reduced, 40 ¾”, round, pin-fastened, iron, smoothbore, .75 caliber barrel with a top bayonet lug/sight and two baluster turnings at the breech. The top of the breech with two GR/V Ordnance Proofmarks and an “IG” maker’s mark within a rectangular cartouche: of classic Liege Contract form {please see “Pattern Dates…”, pg. 7}—– forge-bushed touch-hole. Regulation Pattern 1756/68 type lock with single screw behind the cock and a trefoil finial frizzen-spring. The tail marked with a “Tower”, in classic Liege Contract “shaded” characters; and the face with a “rounded” Crown “GR” without a broad arrow/crown, beneath the powder-pan. The original rounded gooseneck hammer of “Wartime” production” with a hooked spur and a thread-engraved top-jaw, en suite with the lockplate and hammer. In original flintlock configuration; and in functional order with a strong mainspring and fine timing. Retains dark untouched surfaces with some light wear/pitting at the powder-pan and around the touch-hole. Barrel retains a dark, even, brown age patina with some light scattered pitting near the breech. Associated iron ramrod with button-head and complete with both sling swivels. Regulation Shortland Pattern (Liege Contract)brass hardware with an even mustard-tone: four brass ramrod pipes (the second pipe missing and of a “Pratt” improvement design), a vacant shield-type brass wrist escutcheon, a flat sideplate with a tail and the buttplate with a wide three (3) stepped tang. The trigger-guard with a raised hazelnut forward finial and the fore-end with its brass muzzle-cap. Regulation walnut fullstock with a pronounced lobe on the handrail and a well-defined fluted comb on the butt. Marked with two illegible Board of Ordnance inspector’s marks behind the trigger-guard, another marking behind the sideplate; and the face of the butt without a Storekeeper’s mark. In overall good+ original flintlock condition (as is). The stock with sharp contours, 65%+ finish, some scattered handling marks, signs of use/wear, an old missing chunk, at the top edge of the lock mortise, minor gouges, light scuffs and shrinkage. The barrel with smooth steel surfaces, clear markings and the noted working-period minor reduction at the muzzle. Very good lock with clear markings, fine mechanics and its original components *****A classic example of Revolutionary War Production Pattern 1778 Liege Contract Second Model Brown Bess Musket, ca. 1779. For more details please see DeWitt Bailey’s: “Pattern Dates for British Ordnance Small Arms 1718-1783” pg. 7, 10 & 68 & G. C. Neumann’s: “Battle Weapons of the American Revolution”.
Images and description courtesy of Paul’s Antique Arms & Armour at: http://www.ambroseantiques.com/flongarms.htm