Historic Arms & Militaria
Description:
British Pattern 1738 Bright Sea Service Musket, c. 1748, .75 caliber, three screw pattern 1718 lock engraved behind the cock "SMITH/1748" and with crown over "GR" and crown broad arrow government ownership mark below the pan; walnut stock with storekeeper's mark on the left side of the buttstock and inspector's mark behind the trigger guard, rammer channel marked with an "H" between the second and third rammer pipes; octagonal to round barrel with remnants of a Dutch/Germanic proof mark at the breech, brass furniture proper for pattern with the addition of a diamond-shaped thumbpiece engraved "WB," barrel lg. 42, overall lg. 57 3/4 in.
Provenance: The Bill Ahearn collection.
Literature: Illustrated and described in Bill Ahearn, Muskets of the Revolution and French & Indian Wars (Lincoln, RI: Andrew Mowbray Publishers, 2005),pp. 87-90; Bill Ahearn and Robert Nittolo, British Military Long Arms in Colonial America (Pittsburgh, PA: Dorrance, 2018),pp. 362-65.
Estimate $3,000-5,000
Reconversion. Stock splice just forward of second rammer pipe, dings and dents, minor wood loss around lock mortice.
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
Keywords
Robert Nittolo, Bill Ahearn, Pittsburgh, LincolnChristopher D. Fox
Vice President
Director, Historic Arms & Militaria
Associate Deputy Director, American Furniture & Decorative Arts
508-970-3200