Brown Bess 1779-s Pattern for Restoration
- Licensing Category: Antique
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A 1779 S musket built by John Pratt. Reference "The Brown Bess" by Erik Goldstein & Stuart Mowbray. Pg 132 to 141. This musket was converted to percussion at some point in time. A prior owner removed the percussion cock and drum. He did not proceed with the reconversion to flint. Beyond this point the musket shows it's original barrel with the ordinance marks and the SG (Samuel Galton) mark at the breech, left side of the barrel. The ram rod channel shows the assemble's mark,XVII, as does the lock plate. Adjoining the assmbler's mark is the remnents of a name John.....? The lock plate shows clear sharp Tower crown and broad arrow marks on the face. The reverse shows the crowned 6 ordinance inspector's mark as well as a SO & 1W maker's marks. It also shows the VII asembler mark. This musket may well be one of the 1779 S muskets made by John Pratt. The wood shows the ordinance storekeeper's mark on the right side of the butt and on the left side of the stock above the trigger. All of the brass ramrod fittings are identical to those as shown on page 138 of the aforesaid reference. It is our opinion that this item is one of the first 1779-80 muskets as supplied by John Pratt. This may suggest that a reconversion of this musket would be more than justified. Note: This item was originally found in a very old collection of arms in Ontario. The writer collected Brown Besses 40 years ago. This was acquired at the time and was retained as a parts gun. The upper end of the side plate adjoining the screw hole has separated but remains in place. Also the crowned 6 inspector mark is not there due to a small later wood repair in that location. A scarce variation in the Brown Bess series of military muskets. An item that is well worth the reconversion to flint.