This original, highly sought after, unaltered flintlock longarm is a British Pattern 1756 infantry long arm known, in military terms, as the Long Land Service Musket. More commonly, it is simply referred to as a British Brown Bess.

The longarm is a single shot, smoothbore muzzleloader that retains all its original parts in very good condition. Specimen measures a total of almost 62” long with a 46” long barrel secured to the stock with conventional cross pins. Top of barrel breech has two stampings that show the King’s proof mark and a viewer’s mark. Left side of barrel breech also shows an asterisk and what appears to be a worn “10”. Barrel breech tang is unmarked. Worn bayonet lug on barrel 2” back from the muzzle. Bore is dark and has moderate rust pitting. Barrel surface is smooth with very little pitting except around the breech and touch hole. Barrel wears a beautiful, uniform deep brown color. Longarm has its original steel ramrod with the button tip and threaded end.

The lockplate has a slightly curved face and measures 7” long. This style of lock features the single sear screw behind the cock. Cock, comb, cock screw, top jaw, lower jaw, pan and frizzen all original as well as the feather spring. Rounded (lower) portion of hammer features fine two-line tooling. The same two-line tooling is found around the edge of the lockplate itself. Lockplate is clearly marked “TOWER” behind the cock. Between the cock and the frizzen pan are found the King’s crown above the monarch’s initials “GR” and very faintly, the British broad arrow is found between the pan and the feather spring finial. Lockplate is not dated. Mechanics are strong, with both hammer and frizzen.

Opposite side from lock has the curvy brass side plate with its two large stock screws. Other brass components are the nose cap, four ramrod tubes, trigger guard, escutcheon plate, and butt plate. The butt plate tang for this pattern is nearly 6” long and features three sets of “shoulders” that tapper in and eventually terminate at a small round button. Most of the brass parts have a dark bronze patina. Neither of the iron sling swivels remain.

The stock measures 57” long and is of dark walnut in very good condition. Appears to be original color and finish. Stock exhibits two small chips around the breech tang. There is a repaired break at the toe of the butt. The break is where the lower butt plate screw is located. Overall, this is a beautiful and well kept specimen.

Here is a rare opportunity to acquire an unaltered Brown Bess, aka British Pattern 1756 Long Land Musket, used by the British infantry man in the late 18^th century.  [jet]

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