Original Item: One of a Kind. This a fantastic example of a rare British Pattern 1757 Short Musket, intended for use by Marine and Militia units in the British forces. It features the 1759 improvements to allow for an iron ramrod, including a rear tailpipe with interior spring to secure the end of the rod, a long trumpet-headed fore pipe, and the addition of a brass nose cap at the termination of the fore stock. The musket features a 42 inch 0.75" bore barrel and overall length of 57 1/2 inches. This pattern of "Brown Bess" was the first infantry musket to feature the shorter "Short Land Pattern" barrel length of 42 inches, which would become standard in 1793. Many of these earlier would later be updated by being shortened or converted to percussion, however this scarce example is still in the original configuration.

This example is correct to the pattern, with a convex rounded banana shaped lock marked with the correct CROWN / GR (faint) under the hammer, and TOWER on the lock plate tail near the small "teat". It also has a CROWNED BROAD ARROW ordnance "lock viewer's" marking under the flash pan, which is the correct type with a rear shield. The markings are worn due to past oxidation and cleaning of the lock plate. It is an early style three screw lock, which has only a single screw behind the hammer, a style changed between 1757 and 1762 that indicated the use of a shorter sear spring. It also has the correct "swan neck" cock of the period, but does have a frizzen reinforcement bridle attached to the pan, so it is somewhat modern for the period. The lock is fully functional, holding correctly at half cock and firing only at full.

The barrel is in lovely condition, showing a nice bright patina, showing only light wear. There does not appear to be much powder burn near the touch hole, so we do not believe that the musket was fired much. The top of the barrel shows what looks to be a CROWN / GR marking over a CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS marking, indicating Pre-1813 military inspection at the Ordnance Proof house on Tower Wharf close to the Tower of London. There are additional markings, some overlapping, including additional "Crossed Scepter" markings, definitely a great opportunity for further research. Just up the barrel from the proof marks is the regimental marking M: GLAMORGAN centered on the barrel, and the butt plate tang is marked 3 / 5 for the 5th arm of 3rd Company.

The Glamorgan Militia, later known as the Royal Glamorgan Light Infantry, was first established in 1662 following the restoration of the Monarchy, mainly to help keep a check on the Standing Army. After the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, the long piece led to the diminishing of the Militia forces until the Seven Years War, when threat of French Invasion led to the Militias being restored in the late 1750s. The Glamorgan Militia was then re-constituted in late 1759 and was issued “360 Short Muskets” of the P-1757/1759 Militia pattern along with bayonets. This is one of those rare examples, and was deaccessioned from the collection of the Lewes Military Museum when that institution closed its doors.

This example is lovely, still retaining its original regulation brass fittings in great condition. The stock has a lovely dark brown color, showing wear and stress cracks from being over 250 of age. We do not however see any major damage or repairs. Due to wear the carved "outlines" around the barrel tang, lock, and side plate are definitely reduced, but still evident if you know what to look for. Both sling swivels are still present, and the original ramrod is in very good condition.

A lovely example of a rare British Militia musket from the mid 18th Century with some great markings, ready to research and display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1760
Caliber: 0.75"
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 42 inches
Overall Length: 57 1/2 inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

"Brown Bess" is a nickname of uncertain origin for the British Army's muzzle-loading smoothbore flintlock Land Pattern Musket and its derivatives. The musket design remained in use for over a hundred years with many incremental changes in its design. These versions include the Long Land Pattern, the Short Land Pattern, the India Pattern, the New Land Pattern Musket, and the Sea Service Musket.

The Long Land Pattern musket and its derivatives, all 0.75 inches caliber flintlock muskets, were the standard long guns of the British Empire's land forces from 1722 until 1838, when they were superseded by a percussion cap smoothbore musket. The British Ordnance System converted many flintlocks into the new percussion system known as the Pattern 1839 Musket. A fire in 1841 at the Tower of London destroyed many muskets before they could be converted. Still, the Brown Bess saw service until the middle of the nineteenth century.

Most male citizens of the thirteen colonies of British America were required by law to own arms and ammunition for militia duty. The Long Land Pattern was a common firearm in use by both sides in the American War of Independence.

In 1808 during the Napoleonic Wars, the United Kingdom subsidized Sweden (during the period when Finland was under Swedish rule) in various ways as the British government anxiously wanted to keep an ally in the Baltic Sea region. These included deliveries of significant numbers of Brown Bess-muskets for use in the Finnish War of 1808 to 1809.

During the Musket Wars (1820s–30s), Māori warriors used Brown Besses purchased from European traders at the time. Some muskets were sold to the Mexican Army, which used them during the Texas Revolution of 1836 and the Mexican–American War of 1846 to 1848. Brown Besses saw service in the First Opium War and during the Indian rebellion of 1857. Zulu warriors, who had also purchased them from European traders, used them during the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. One was even used in the Battle of Shiloh in 1862, during the American Civil War.

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