xxSOLDxxREVOLUTIONARY WAR PERIOD 2nd MODEL BROWN BESS

This is an interesting second model British brown bess which was undoubtedly used in the Revolutionary War by first British troops and loyalist militias and then showing evidence of capture and use by American Patriots. The musket shows evidence of wartime use with a crack in the forestock near the muzzle end and subsequent copper staple repair. Also,  the comb has been altered to facilitate aiming which was typical of American patriot use. The butt has the British broad arrow carved in its butt but is desecrated with an additional carved slash. The lock is original flintlock but was replaced in-period with a Liege manufactured lock and the hammer was replaced in-period with an American made cock without any engraving.There is an enlightening discussion in Bill Ahearn and Bob Nittolo's book "BRITISH MILITARY LONG ARMS in Colonial America", Page 286, third paragraph: "It is known that many of the muskets surrendered by Burgoyne's troops at Saratoga were damaged by the British before given over to the Americans."..."There is also an interesting September 23, 1777, entry in the journal of a German officer in Prinz Friedrich Regiment concerning the muskets used during the Fort Ticonderoga fight. This officer makes note that the Americans left behind over 100 captured British muskets when they raised the siege of Ticonderoga. When he described these reclaimed muskets, he noted that the locks had been removed. There is some evidence to now show that the muskets left behind were American long arms and that the colonials departed with the captured British muskets, as well as locks from their old muskets. Historian Charles Thayer states that he has seen an original document describing how the Americans removed musket locks from their most worn long arms and discarded them before carrying off the captured weapons."**SOLD**

Condition: Fair. The barrel has been shortened at the muzzle (during its period of use) from 42" to 41". There is a 4" sliver out of the forestock from the muzzle cap rearward and then an in-period repaired crack extending another 6". As mentioned earlier, the lock was replaced in-period by a Liege manufactured lock (from a Liege-made Brown Bess). Muzzle ramrod ferrule was moved forward 1/4" and the second ferrule was replaced in-period. The iron ramrod is a modern replacement. The bayonet fits very well and is period correct but is associated.