Original item: One of a Kind. This is a fantastic collector's opportunity! This is the only known surviving example of the Pattern of 1756 Officer's Fusil, procured by the Board of Ordnance for the use of Royal Artillery officers from 1750 until 1773, After that point, longarms were laid aside and artillery officers only carried sidearms such as short swords or dirks from that date forward.

The Tower of London Small Arms Office began production of the P-1756 fusil in-house in May 1750, producing 38 "Fuzees" by the following month. Small batches continued in production for the following two decades, as required, to arm the commissioned officers of the Royal Artillery. The fusils all had 37-inch barrels in approximately 16 Bore, which were fastened to the stock by keys / wedges, rather than the usual pins used with other ranks' or enlisted artillery carbines), with hook- or false breeches and engraved brass furniture.

This particular fusil is marked LT CHENEY / 1762 on the brass butt plate, indicating that it was issued to Joseph Cheney when he was promoted to "Lieutenant and Fireworker" on 20 January 1762. He had first entered the Royal Artillery as a "Matross" (Mate) in February 1755. Cheney went on half-pay at the close of the war in Spring 1763, but returned to active duty in the 2nd Battalion in 1766, and was successively promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on 1 January 1771 and 1st lieutenant on 27 March 1776. Cheney was removed to the Invalid Battalion in 1777, later dying at Boston, Lincolnshire on 16 August 1811. Definitely some great possibilities for further research!

The fusil has an overall length of 44 1/2 inches and its key-fastened 16 bore barrel's length was reduced at some time in its history from the original 37 inches to its current 29 1/2 inch length. The steel tang of the hook-breech is engraved with floral motifs and a rear sight groove was filed into it sometime after issue. Traces of the Ordnance proof marks remain on the top of the barrel near the breech and a possible maker's mark can be found on the left underside of the barrel before the breech.

The rounded P-1756 Land pattern carbine lock is engraved with a single edge-line, as is the swan neck cock, hammer, and frizzen. The lock is an early design with a single screw behind the hammer, which was done away with soon after this fusil was made. It does have the more modern frizzen reinforcement bridle extending from the flash pan to the frizzen screw. There are signs of purposeful filing before and behind the lock, which was likely done to remove the "CROWN /GR" proof and "TOWER" or maker's name, respectively. The inside of the lock bears a CROWN / 2 inspection mark and the ;WG touchmark of William Grice, who produced carbine locks and barrels for the Tower during this period.

The walnut stock is well finished, with shellwork carving around the barrel tang and high relief work around the lockplate, ending in a beavertail behind, with corresponding work on the other side around the sideplate and lock screws. The wooden ramrod has a 1 3/8 inch-long horn tip and was probably added at the same time that the barrel and forestock were cut-down to function as a 16 bore sporting gun, stocked to the muzzle.

The brass mountings include a side plate with a panoply of arms symbolic of the Board of Ordnance and the Artillery Regiment, consisting of banners, cannon barrels, trumpets and a powder barrel, surrounding a tower or keep. The trigger guard has edge engraving and scroll and shell motifs, while the wrist escutcheon has scroll and shell flourishes at its top and bottom, though the interior is unmarked. The butt plate tang has edge engraving and a centered, martial panoply consisting of drum, halberd, and crossed cannon and flags.

The barrel bears traces of old browning and shows some past pitting on the top from age and long years of cleaning. The lock components all show wear and light pitting, and the lock itself is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full. The brass fittings are mellow and with light toning in the engraved lines and inset castings. The walnut stock has scattered light dings, nicks and scratches, but otherwise very good. It does have a repaired crack through the wrist, most likely executed long ago.

A great opportunity to pick up a historical firearm with some great research potential! Ready to display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1762
Caliber: 16 Bore - about 0.66"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 29 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 44 1/2 inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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