Original Item. Only One Available. The Swedish infantry musket, often called the "Swedish Land Pattern Musket", was a series of muzzle-loaded 0.63 to 0.81-inch caliber smoothbored long gun. These weapons were in service within the Royal Swedish Army from the mid-16th century until the mid-19th century. Sweden had originally been aligned with France during the Napoleonic Wars, but rough treatment from the French prompted them to change sides towards the end of the conflicts. They made some improvements towards the end of the war, and the musket that would become the model 1815 was sign at some of the final battles during the wars.

The musket features the characteristic "L" shaped brass side plate of the model 1815, as well as brass barrel bands, definitely a departure from other muskets of the period, which usually utilized pins to keep the barrel in place. From what we can the bands were introduced on the Model 1805. The 42 inch barrel has a very large 0.80 inch bore, and at 58 1/2 inches overall length, this is definitely a substantial long arm, even for the period. The stock is also still fitted with a brass butt plate, with two VERY large round head iron screws, which are a defining feature of Scandinavian muskets. A similar screw is used to secure the barrel tang to the front of the trigger guard.

It features a massive flint lock, which does have a half-cock position, but also an early design safety "Dog" to the rear of the hammer. As with other examples we have seen, there are no markings on the lock plate, and the barrel is marked with what looks to be IL / AIB, and under this is a CROWN / I marking. There is also 964 marked on the barrel and stock on the left side. This is most likely a rack or serial number, and we have not been able to find out more specifics of the Swedish marking systems, however they appear to be similar to those used by other countries in the area.

Condition of the musket is very good, showing a lovely lightly oxidized patina on all of the metalwork. The lock is fully functional, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full, with a functional safety dog. The stock, which we suspect is Beech, has a lovely color, showing the expected wear and damage from years of service. There are no major issues, just some missing chunks around the lock plate from stress. The musket still features both sling swivels, and has a substantial brass tipped wooden ramrod stored under the barrel.

A very nice example of an early Swedish M1815 flintlock musket with an intact safety dog. In very nice condition and ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1780 (estimated)
Caliber: About 0.80"
Cartridge Type: Powder & Ball
Barrel Length: 42 Inches
Overall Length: 58 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side action Flintlock with Dog Safety
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

At the end of the 16th century, the Swedish military musket became a style-setter. Its style remained the same until about 1660 in most armies. In Sweden, its basic style lasted for many years—until the end of the 1680s. The matchlock was the dominant mechanism on the Swedish Army soldiers' muskets as well as among other European armed forces, and remained so until the latter half of the 1600s when the snaphaunce mechanism increasingly took over. But it was not until the flintlock mechanism as well as the bayonet had taken hold in earnest—around the turn of the 17th–18th centuries—that the matchlock became completely obsolete among the various squadrons within the Swedish Empire. However, some weapons equipped with wheellock mechanism were primarily reserved for the cavalry. The Swedish, purely warlike musket design remained in its basic form from Model 1696 until Model 1775. Before that, long guns – military as well as civilian – were produced in a variety of designs.

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