This original, highly desired, unaltered flintlock longarm of the American Revolutionary War is a British Pattern 1769 / 1775 line infantry small arm known, in military terms, as the Short Land Service Musket. More commonly, it is simply referred to a British Brown Bess. The first order for the British Board of Ordnance was dated July 1775 and the first delivery was Nov 1775.

Lockplate is marked with “TOWER” behind the cock (hammer) while in front it bears the King’s crown above the monarch’s initials GR. The British broad arrow is stamped just in front of the initials. Lockplate not dated. Likely assembled at the Board of Ordnance’s workforce at the Tower of London facility at the time, this model Brown Bess flintlock was never converted to percussion cap and ball. Specimen measures a total of almost 58” long with the smaller, lighter and handier 42” long barrel secured to stock with conventional cross pins.

The longarm is a big .80 caliber, single shot, smoothbore muzzleloader that retains all its original parts in very good condition. It does show evidence of the cock (hammer) being repaired at one time. All other components are fine. The flat, iron lockplate is slightly raised from the stock and measures 6½” long. Lockplate tail, which has the single sear screw, terminates in a teat which serves to add rigidity to the lock when musket is fired. Cock, comb, cock screw, top jaw, lower jaw, pan and steel all original as well as the feather spring finial and toe of steel. Rounded hammer or cock has fine two-line tooling as well as the top jaw and the lockplate. No flint. The trigger guard retains its sling swivel. Stock also has its upper swivel near the upper tube. Mechanics need slightly adjustment as the full cock position is intermittent. All gunmetal wears a dark brown / plum rust-like patina with scattered pitting overall. Pan also has moderate rust pitting.

Top of barrel breech has two stampings that show the King’s proof mark and a viewer’s mark. Left breech side of barrel also shows a “10.” Barrel tang has its untouched scribe mark and a small viewer stamp at stock end. Tang screw lightly buggered. No rear sight as normal but a bayonet lug on barrel 1¼” back from the muzzle tip. Bore is dark and has moderate rust pitting. Longarm has its original steel ramrod with the button tip. When sighted in, barrel muzzle shows a slight bend to the left. Opposite side of cock has the updated flat-flushed, brass side piece (for the 1775 model and later) with its two large stock screws.

Walnut stock measures 52” long and is of dark walnut in very good condition with no visible repairs. Wood never cleaned or re-done. Stock tip has a cast-brass nose cap. Butt stock area has narrow flat-side comb above the hand rail. Brass butt plate tang is secured by the single cross pin. Stock top wrist bears a large 2¾” long, brass, tear drop medallion inset to the wood with a large hand carved “X” in the center. Stock exhibits one 1” long wood sliver of period chipping on right side near the end of the lockplate. Also shows two, large 1” initials “I L” hand carved on left side shoulder stock. Brass triggerguard has the “hazelnut style” finial as well as its iron sling swivel.

A coveted, unaltered Brown Bess, aka British Pattern 1769 / 1775 Short Land Musket typically used by the British infantry man in the late 19^th century.

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