Lot #163
Lot #165

Lot 164: French and Indian War Era British Long Land Brown Bess Musket

Documented French and Indian War Era 1761 Dated British Brown Bess Long Land Pattern Flintlock Musket by Vernon with Bayonet

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 3, 2021

Lot 164: French and Indian War Era British Long Land Brown Bess Musket

Documented French and Indian War Era 1761 Dated British Brown Bess Long Land Pattern Flintlock Musket by Vernon with Bayonet

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 3, 2021

Estimated Price: $4,500 - $7,000

Documented French and Indian War Era 1761 Dated British Brown Bess Long Land Pattern Flintlock Musket by Vernon with Bayonet

Manufacturer: British
Model: Flintlock Musket
Type: Musket
Gauge: 75
Barrel: 46 inch round
Finish: brown/bright
Grip:
Stock: walnut
Item Views: 2541
Item Interest: Active
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 84
Class: Antique
Description:

This is a very scarce example of a British Long Land Pattern musket manufactured during the French & Indian War and Seven Years' War. The Seven Years' War is considered by many historians to be the first world war and the cost of both conflicts and resultant British policies after the war are credited with pushing the American colonies to fight for their independence. These long land muskets would have been used by both the British military and some colonial militiamen against the French and their Native American allies, and remained the primary weapon of the British troops at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, and were also captured and used by many American patriots during the Revolution. During or prior to the Revolution, many were altered to the more manageable and officially standard Short Land Pattern barrel length of 42 inches, with this example still retaining its original 46 inch barrel length. Long Land Pattern Type II muskets are described on pages 219-223 of George D. Moller's book "American Military Shoulder Arms Volume I" with this exact musket pictured on pages 219, 221 and at the top of 222. Features a front sight that doubles as a bayonet lug, an iron ramrod, brass ramrod ferrules and end cap, 6 1/8 inch brass side plate, brass trigger guard, unmarked brass wrist escutcheon, fluted comb, and brass buttplate with 5 3/4 inch long tang. "VERNON/1761" marked at the tail of the lock and a "crown/GR" Georgian royal cipher marked at the center. Crown proofs on the breech and lock. "10xRCON38" carved in the right of the buttstock. Small "GDM" (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a socket bayonet marked with a "crown/9" proof above "DAWES" on the blade, and a later Swiss leather sling. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Rating Definition:

Good, exhibiting a mix of applied refurbished brown finish and brown patina on the barrel, scattered light pitting overall, mild flash pitting, and crisp markings on the lock. Stock is also good with scattered cracks and absent sections on either side of the barrel channel, chips around some of the barrel retaining pins, some mild chips and a crack ahead of and behind the lock along, a chip ahead of the front lock screw, a crack ahead of the rear lock screw, some chips behind the barrel tang, some cracks around the butt, and a repaired section at the toe. Mechanically needs work, will not stay in full cock. Included bayonet is good with scattered moderate pitting. Overall a nice representative example of a historically significant British Long Land Pattern Brown Bess.



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