AUCTIONS Fall 2023 Premier Auction VERY HISTORIC 2nd MODEL BROWN BESS MUSKET OF THE

3400 VERY HISTORIC 2nd MODEL BROWN BESS MUSKET OF THE

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This item SOLD at 2023 Nov 05 @ 17:12UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 2,500.00 USD
Estimated at 5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
BRITISH 17th REGIMENT OF FOOT HEAVILY ENGAGED THROUGHOUT THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. Cal. 76. NSN. Bbl. 38". This 2nd model Brown Bess was carried by a member of the 17th Regiment of Foot during the American Revolution. It is clearly marked on the top of the butt plate in period engraving, "R 17 TH". The mark features the "long tailed" 7, often seen in 18th century engraving. The 17th Regiment of Foot began arriving in America on November 8, 1775. The regiment was inspected at Boston by Major General Clinton on December 11th. The 17th remained in Boston until American forces moved into Dorchester Heights and the 17th evacuated to Halifax, Nova Scotia. In early July of 1776, the 17th landed on Staten Island, New York and prepared for the invasion of Long Island. The 17th fought in all battles for New York City and the Battle of Long Island. Subsequent to these battles, the 17th fought in the Battle of Harlem Heights in September and the Battle of White Plains in October of 1776, which caused the Americans to evacuate New York. In early 1777, the 17th joined General Cornwallis at Trenton and fought bravely at the Battle of Princeton, suffering numerous casualties including the popular young Captain William Leslie at Clarks Orchard. Numerous British periodicals of the time referred to the 17th as "The Heroes of Princeton". The 17th went on to fight in the Philadelphia Campaign and were actively engaged at the Battle of Brandywine. In 1778, the 17th defeated an American assault at Monmouth Courthouse, subsequently withdrawing with the army to New York. Elements of the 17th participated in the New Bedford Raid and raids on Martha's Vinyard. After spending the winter of 1778/79 around New York City, the 17th was heavily engaged at Stony Point where nearly the entire regiment was taken prisoner by American forces. Survivors of the 17th, bolstered by new recruits and transfers, were sent to Charleston, South Carolina in October of 1780. They were engaged in fighting partisans throughout South Carolina. The 17th eventually joined forces with General Cornwallis and were again taken prisoner at the fall of Yorktown. It is difficult to imagine the hard campaigning that this truly historic Brown Bess musket has seen. The musket itself has a 38" barrel that has obviously been shortened from the regulation length during its useful life. A crowned "GR" proof can be discerned on top of the barrel near the bolster. The lock is marked with a crowned "GR" under the pan and with a crowned broad arrow to the right. Behind the cock is the word "TOWER" in a vertical arc. The lock may have been replaced in the late 1770's, as there are 2 visible screws behind the cock. The brass trigger guard is most certainly of a 2nd model style, as is the brass butt plate, heavily engraved "R 17 TH". There is a brass escutcheon at the top of the wrist, and a flat brass side plate. The brass thimbles and entry thimbles are of 2nd model style, not showing Pratt's improvement. Both the top of the barrel and the butt plate bear stampings that read "A. TUTTLE", possibly a later owner of this weapon. Fine original stock. CONDITION: all iron parts have a dark oxidized patina. The lock holds both full & half cock. All brass parts have a wonderful, mellow mustard patina. The stock is quite strong with virtually no losses or notable damage. Front sling swivel appears replaced. Fair bore. PROVENANCE: From the Collection of James B. Taylor. (01-23862/BF). ANTIQUE. $5,000-7,000.
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