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Antique British Late India Pattern Brown Bess Flintlock Musket

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD
Antique British Late India Pattern Brown Bess Flintlock Musket
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Antique British Late India Pattern Brown Bess Flintlock Musket, NVSN, 10 bore cal., 39.5" tapered pin-retained round barrel has ring-turning at breech and a sunken cartouche ahead at left; flat lockplate is marked "(large crown)" over "VR" under the integral pan and "Tower" in a vertical curve behind the reinforced military cock; brass furniture includes large trigger guard with iron sling loop at front, nearly-flat buttplate, rounded serpentine sideplate, nosecap, three thimbles retaining the button-tip steel ramrod; fullstock of oil-finished walnut has raised panels at either side of lock (stock maker's stamp at left), step at mid-point, sling loop at front. Mfg'd ca. first half of 19th Century. Condition is good, the barrel having dark patina over general light to moderate erosion (heavier pitting at breech), balance of the iron being lightly-oxidized gunmetal gray; edges are good, lock markings are clear. Stock is sound and smooth showing relatively minor marks for its great age and military use, the comb and raised molding about the lockplate have been reduced, the rounded sideplate is from an earlier Bess, the front sling loop is later. This musket may have been captured by American troops (or by a British Colonial unit) and subsequently renovated including being bored out for use as a fowler, a common fate on the frontier of the time. Lock appears to be original flintlock, the touchhole was bushed, drilled and smoothed. Action is crisp, smoothbore shows heavy black-powder corrosion. A modern buff leather sling is included. Est.: $2,000-$3,000. (Antique)