11-02-201811-02-2018
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsMarlborough MA
November 2, 2018 10:00 AMCalender
23

British Pattern 1756 Long Land Service Musket With Worn Marks for the 15th or 43rd Regiments of Foot

Sell one like this
$49,200$40,000
Auction: Sale #3165M - 3165MLocation: MarlboroughDate / Time: November 02, 2018 10:00AM

Description:

British Pattern 1756 Long Land Service Musket With Worn Marks for the 15th or 43rd Regiments of Foot, .78 caliber, lock engraved behind the cock "TOWER" and crown over "GR" and crown broad arrow storekeeper's mark below the pan, walnut stock with storekeeper's mark on the right side of the butt and remnants of an inspector's mark behind the trigger guard, rammer channel marked "IC" and "V," barrel with worn engraving "15 REGT" or "43 REGT," with ordnance view and proof marks at the breech and remnants of barrel maker's mark on the left, brass furniture proper for pattern with trumpet second rammer pipe, escutcheon engraved "2/21," steel rammer with threaded end, barrel lg. 46, overall lg. 62 in.

Provenance: According to family history, the musket descended in the Bogardus family of Green County, New York, since the American Revolution and was reportedly part of the armament surrendered by the British at Saratoga. Purchased by William F. Stiles from the family in the early 1930s. The Bill Ahearn collection.

Literature: Illustrated and described in Don Carroll, "The Brown Bess Musket-Regimentally Marked," The Gun Report (January 1990); Bill Ahearn, "Identifying American Revolutionary War Firearms," The Gun Report (August 1992); Bill Ahearn, "British Longarms at Lexington," Man At Arms (April 1998); Bill Ahearn, Muskets of the Revolution and French & Indian Wars (Lincoln, RI: Andrew Mowbray Publishers, 2005),pp. 48-49; Bill Ahearn and Robert Nittolo, British Military Long Arms in Colonial America (Pittsburgh, PA: Dorrance, 2018),pp. 181-88.

Exhibitions: Fort Ticonderoga Museum; Museum of the American Indian; Thomas Clarke House, Princeton Battlefield.

Note: The regimental mark on this gun is very worn and may in fact be a "43." Like the 43rd Regiment Long Land with provenance to Lexington and Concord at the Massachusetts State House, this gun is also constructed with a flared second pipe and has engraving on the thumb piece that is visually very similar.
Estimate $12,000-18,000

Top jaw and jaw screw appear to be old replacements, minor forestock splits have been repaired; metal with light pitting and toning.


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

William F. Stiles, Robert Nittolo, Bill Ahearn, Saratoga, Lexington, Lincoln, Pittsburgh