(A) BRITISH P1769 SHORT LAND FLINTLOCK MUSKET WITH

A very good example of the Short Land Pattern Musket in its Type I or original 1769-1776 configuration, now known to collectors as the Pattern 1769. First issued in 1772-1773 to the light infantry companies of standing British regiments and the 42nd Highland Regiment or “Black Watch”, by 1776 this musket had become the workhorse of the British Army infantry regiments and was also highly prized by its American adversaries. Its 42" long barrel of 0.79 bore bears Ordnance view and proof marks centered on top of barrel near breech, with the maker's touchmark "FG" (for Farmer & Galton, who had contracts for barrels and locks with the Tower Armoury) near breech on the left side. The rounded lock has a "[crown] / GR" engraved before the cock and "TOWER" behind, with a broad arrow inspection mark underneath the pan. The musket exhibits the distinctive brass hardware for the Pattern 1769 musket, including buttplate, thumbpiece, flat sideplate, trigger guard, four ramrod pipes and nosecap. The original, walnut stock has a faint storekeeper’s stamp on the right butt, while there are two inspection marks stamped in it just behind the trigger guard. The musket has a well-fitted, associated bayonet of the 1755-1768 form, 21-3/4" overall with 17" x 1-5/8" blade bearing a "(crown) / 5" inspection mark and a "13" on its flat face, while the socket bears issue marks of “2/50”. CONDITION: The iron hardware is a gunmetal grey, the markings quite good, and the lock in original flint configuration and in good working order (mechanism sometimes catches at full cock). The stock has been refinished and is in overall good condition, but there is a 3" splice of wood on the lower part of the forestock just behind the nosecap, and another shallow one (approximately 1/4") ranging 11-1/4" from the tailpipe forward along the top edge of the right forestock; the ramrod is a later replacement. JLK Accessories: Socket Bayonet Barrel Length: 42" Caliber/Bore: .80 Smoothbore FFL Status: Antique Manufacturer: Tower Model: Flintlock Musket Serial Number: NSN