Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a very interesting 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 Musket of the line during the entire U.S. Revolutionary war, and as the Regiment it is marked to took part, there is a very good chance it did as well!

This example has a lovely walnut stock, which still retains the "bannister rail" butt stock, a feature that was basically done away with after 1807. However, we noted that it looks to probably have been restocked during the revolutionary period in America! The brass escutcheon on the back of the wrist is attached in the Dutch style, with an iron screw from the top into the wrist. The correct British style would have the screw rising upwards from the rear of the trigger guard, however the trigger guard on this rifle does not have any screw to the rear, nor does it have an inlet for one! Definitely some great deep research potential for this long arm!

The musket has a full 42" regulation length, .75" smoothbore iron barrel, which bears British Proof Marks, which are still mostly clear. There are two CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS markings, for Pre-1813 inspection at the Ordnance Proof house on Tower Wharf close to the Tower of London. However, this mark was usually only used on "private" arms, not military issued examples. It may be that the barrel and stock were both broken, and then replaced! The stock is fitted with the correct FOUR ramrod pipes and correct all brass mounts. The barrel marked on the top with 34'th REG'T of F't, for issue to the British 34th Regiment of Foot.

The early style lock plate is fully marked with CROWN / G.R. mid lock for King George III, with TOWER marked on the tail. It also has the CROWN / BROAD ARROW "Lock Viewer's" marking under the flash pan. The lock surface has the correct curved profile of Pre-1777 manufacture, which later turned to be flattened. The lock has a swan neck cock, indicating pre-1808 construction. The lock is functional, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full.

The lovely walnut stock is complete with sling swivels and the correct iron ramrod, though it does not really have the characteristic "swell" just rear of the first ramrod pipe, which a British made stock would have. It shows wear and handling marks, as expected on a musket over two centuries old. There are some cracks on the right side near the lock plate, and there is a repair along the woodline on the left side, with a crack running towards the side plate, which does show some movement.

The 34th Regiment of Foot was first raised in East Anglia by Colonel Lord Lucas as Lord Lucas's Regiment of Foot in February 1702 to fight in the War of Spanish Succession. It took part in several other wars in Europe before being renamed the 34th Regiment of Foot in 1751, after regiments stopped being named after their regimental Colonels. It took part in the Seven Years War of 1756-1763, mostly fighting in Europe, however it did get dispatched to Cuba and later Florida as part of the conflict.

During the U.S. Revolutionary War, the regiment was dispatched to Canada in spring 1776 and, while participating in numerous small skirmishes, drove out the American forces and forced them to abandon Fort Ticonderoga in July 1777. A detachment of the regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Barry St. Leger also took part in the unsuccessful siege of Fort Stanwix. Captain Alexander Fraser, a veteran of the French and Indian War serving with the regiment, commanded what became known as the Company of Select Marksmen and saw action as skirmishers during the Saratoga campaign in autumn 1777. A number of other officers and other ranks, including Lieutenant Bright Nodder, were captured by the American forces and held as part of the Convention Army.

On 31 October 1780 the brig-sloop HMS Ontario was foundered during a violent storm and was sunk east of Fort Niagara on Lake Ontario with the loss of 80 lives including one officer, 34 other ranks, four women and five children from the regiment. The resting site of HMS Ontario remained a mystery until 2008 when the nearly pristine brig "was discovered resting partially on its side, with two masts extending more than 20 metres above the lake bottom", in approximately 150 meters of water "off the southern shore". The regiment was granted the county title as the 34th (Cumberland) Regiment of Foot in 1782 but did not return to England until 1786.

An original amazing 42" Short Land Musket with a nice Revolutionary War History, most likely restocked in America after damage sustained during the conflict. 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: 58 inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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