Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a stunning British "Short Land Pattern" Regimentally marked Brown Bess Flintock musket, featuring the 42" barrel first adopted by Dragoons 1740. In 1768 it became the standard infantry musket, and remained so until 1797, when the Third or "India Pattern" took over. This was the standard infantry Musket of the line from 1768 until 1805, when it was supplanted by the "India Pattern" with a shorter 39 inch barrel. This time period involved many famous conflicts, including the American Revolution, and the numerous conflicts of the Napoleonic Wars.

This example has markings on the butt plate indicating issue to the 24th (The 2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot, a famous regiment that took part in the American Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, and numerous other conflicts. They are particularly known for their action during the Zulu Wars at Rorke's Drift. First raised during 1689 as Sir Edward Dering's Regiment of Foot, it would traditionally bear the name of its regimental Colonels until 1751, when it was named the 24th Regiment of Foot in the order of precedence. It was known under this name when it was sent to the American Colonies in July 1776, and and was subsequently captured by American Forces after General John Burgoyne surrendered in the Summer of 1777 after the Saratoga Campaign.

The regiment would remain captive until 1783, however in 1782 it was renamed as the 24th (The 2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot. After returning to England, the regiment was deployed to Egypt in the aftermath of the Battle of Abukir in March 1801; a 2nd Battalion was raised in 1804 which suffered heavy losses at the Battle of Talavera in July 1809 during the Peninsular War. The regiment was involved in the 1806 invasion of the Cape Colony where it saw action at the Battle of Blaauwberg. The vast majority of the 1st Battalion was captured at sea by the French at the action of 3 July 1810 near the Comoro Islands; they had been on the East Indiamen Astell, Ceylon and Windham when a French frigate squadron captured the last two ships. They were released the following year. The 1st Battalion took part in the Anglo-Nepalese War in November 1814.

Based on the markings, this musket was most likely issued to the regiment in the late 18th century, after their return to England. The gun has a lovely walnut stock, which still retains the "bannister rail" butt stock, a feature that was basically done away with after 1807.

The musket has a full 42" regulation length, .75" smoothbore iron barrel bearing the correct British Proof Marks, which are still mostly clear. They include a CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS and a partial British CROWN / GR / Broad Arrow, indicating Pre-1813 military inspection at the Ordnance Proof house on Tower Wharf close to the Tower of London. We also see additional markings such as an IW and maybe another set of Tower proofs. The barrel was definitely given the "continental clean" at some point, and now is polished bright, which unfortunately has made the markings faint. The stock is fitted with the correct FOUR ramrod pipes and correct all brass mounts.

The lock plate is fully marked with CROWN / G.R. mid lock for King George III, with TOWER marked on the tail, and also has the CROWNED BROAD ARROW "Lock Viewer's" marking under the flash pan. The lock has a swan neck cock, indicating pre-1808 construction, so this is a rifle that was in service during the Napoleonic wars. It is also equipped with the frizzen support bridle on the pan, and two screws behind the lock, both late 18th Century improvements to the design. We checked the action, and it does function, however it will fire at both half and full cock due to wear on the tumbler.

The tang of the butt plate is marked with 2 W - I - R'T, with D / 62 to the rear, indicating issue to the 24th (The 2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot. The "D / 62" would indicate the company and weapon number. The lovely all original walnut stock is complete with sling swivels and the correct iron ramrod. It has the correct "swell" just rear of the first ramrod pipe. We can see however that it has had a somewhat rough life, as there are numerous repaired cracks throughout the fore stock area, and some on the comb of the butt stock. There is also one through the wrist by the escutcheon. All of these have been expertly repaired, probably long ago, as this looks like it was probably in some British collection for a long time, where it was cleaned repeatedly to keep it looking great.

An original amazing 42" Short Land Musket named to the famous 24th Regiment of Foot. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1770
Caliber: .75" Musket
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 42 inches
Overall Length: 57 1/2 inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

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Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.