Beschreibung:

.75 caliber, 42" barrel, no S/N. Browned finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. 6.875" long, post-1777 "short sear spring" pattern lock engraved TOWER in an arc at the rear of the lock and with the {royal crown} over GR forward of the cock and with a weak crown inspection under the pan. Lock with integral fenced and bridled iron pan and rounded swan neck cock. Interior of lock marked BW and with the assembly mating mark \\ \ / ||| on the bottom edge of the lock plate. This same mating mark is present in the ramrod channel of the stock as well. Lock in original flint with the possibility that the top jaw screw is an old, period of use replacement. Barrel with British military proof and inspection marks on top of breech, including a {Crown} / GR / {Broad Arrow} and crowned crossed scepters. Left of breech with */W barrel maker's mark and a weak crowned inspection mark near the touchhole. Stock with illegible two-letter mark on counterpane and weak dated storekeepers mark in obverse butt that is illegible. Heavy brass furniture with typical flat "sea service" style buttplate with thumb-shaped upper tang. Flat, 6.375" 2nd model type sideplate, heavy triggerguard with short, bulbous finial. Iron screw plate forward of trigger for tang screw. Two brass ramrod thimbles with .32" inner diameters for a wooden rod without entry pipe in stock. Upper pipe period modified with spring retention clip to secure an iron ramrod. Stocked to within 5.25" of the muzzle without a forend cap or reinforcement band. Stock of typical "Sea Service" configuration with heavy, wide, flat butt, a well defined rail along the comb and a moderate palm swell at the ramrod entry point. These "Sea Service" muskets were often made up from older parts from older model used or damaged infantry muskets. Thus older pattern furniture and repurposed barrels are not uncommon on muskets intended for use by the "Senior Service." This barrel appears to have been from a Long Land pattern musket that was shortened for use in the Sea Service Musket, as a pin tenon has been removed from the underside of the barrel about 7" from the muzzle. A bayonet lug is present 2.25" from the muzzle, sling selves are in place on the triggerguard bow and through the upper portion of the forend and an old iron trumpet head iron ramrod is present that appears an old replacement. Includes an original late model Brown Bess socket bayonet maker marked OUGHTON with a {CROWN} / 31 inspection on the blade. Bayonet with a 17.75" blade and a 4" socket with heavy reinforcement ring at rear of socket. Bayonet fits the musket very well. Overall a very solid and scarce example of a British Sea Service Musket from the age of fighting sail. Condition: Very good. Retains traces of an old, likely period applied brown, with an evenly oxidized brown appearance throughout. Some light pitting is present around the breech area. The touch hole shows light erosion, is well centered in the pan, is properly tapered and shows no indication of having been molested in any way. Lock remains functional with a weak frizzen spring and some light pitting on the lock plate that partially obscures some of the markings. Brass with a medium golden patina, stock near very good with some added finish and indications of sanding forward of the rear pipe, suggesting that this area has some repair and/or restoration. Balance of the stock appears to be void of repairs, although some minor cracking and chipping is present around the lock mortise and the stock may have been lightly sanded long ago, leaving the storekeeper's mark weak and slightly smeared. Otherwise the wood shows the expected scattered bumps, dings and mars expected for a musket that was likely in service during the period of the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812. Bayonet very good with clear markings and a thick brown patina that appears to include old, dried grease.