[ReadG]

We found this flint lock musket (rifle?) in my grandfather's closet. Little over 4 ft in length. It was tagged "1747" though the tag has since torn off. Flint sparks when fired. Seems in decent condition. The markings are hard to make out. One might say "Willet".

I'd love to learn more about it. Anyone have any insights? I'm not sure what to look for.

 

[Capt Mil Coll]

Easy to tell if Musket or rifle. Look down the bore and see if its rifled. If so its a rifle.
Be very careful with this firearm until you are sure it is not loaded. Sounds like your fireing it. It could go off. A lot of old muskets were loaded and left behind the door ready to be shot.
I cant tell you much besides that. Maybe others have more insight into the firearm.

 

[dgdamore]

Looks like a really cool find!

 

[Horserancher]

It's British, of the Brown Bess pattern and it has the early "banana shaped lock plate and the early trigger guard, so it's certainly of the 1747 era. It is probably of a 75 caliber or originally was. Musketoon? It's not of the full length "Long Land" pattern with the 46" barrel. Hmmm... I'll look up some references and see if there is a mention of a particular short version of the British Brown Bess. Oh yes, it's most certainly a smoothbore.

 

[Horserancher]

Since there's no sign of a lug for a trigger guard swivel, I think that the length of the barrel must be original to the firearm and therefore it might be a Coach Gun or other official modification (shortened barrel) of the Military type Brown Bess Long Land Service Musket. What is the makers name and date if any on the lock plate?

 

[Mike Weber]

I agree of the early pattern British lock and markings. I'm inclined to believe that this gun was shortened up and supplied as a Trade Gun rather than issues as a Musketoon.

 

[Horserancher]

Maybe, but look at the trigger guard, there isn't a sign of a sling swivel mount. Maybe it was professionally removed? Beats me. Something that a contractor made from outdated parts?

 

[Mike Weber]

Could have had some parts refitted as it was converted to a trade gun. I've seen several of them with differing triggerguards often fancy brass and inlays added to stocks etc.... A lot of those old trade guns were put together from parts stocks. Its not unusual to see them shortened up to carbine length.

 

[Horserancher]

It's too bad that the firearm isn't a full length Long Land Pattern musket with the 46" barrel. They are usually priced at and over $20,000.00 Yep, it's an interesting piece!

 

[1moretoy]

We found this flint lock musket (rifle?) in my grandfather's closet. Little over 4 ft in length. It was tagged "1747" though the tag has since torn off. Flint sparks when fired. Seems in decent condition. The markings are hard to make out. One might say "Willet".

I'd love to learn more about it. Anyone have any insights? I'm not sure what to look for.

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I have no idea what you have but it is a beauty!

 

[Doug Bowser]

I believe it is an early trade gun.