May 12-14, 2026 Firearms & Militaria
Lot #2090:
(A) VERY RARE BRITISH PATTERN 1730/40 FLINTLOCK BROWN BESS MUSKET WITH BATTLE OF WHITE PLAINS CAPTURE ATTRIBUTION.
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/13/2026
A letter accompanying this musket states that according to the previous consignor, the musket was picked up at the Battle of White Plains by a member of the Heald family. It was later given to the Dearborn family of New Hampshire, whose family not descended through. It then was part of the Chadwick-Gadler Collection. According to "The Brown Bess" by Goldstein and Mowbray, the Pattern 1730/40 is "Very Rare". This musket is a transitional Pattern between the 1730 muskets and the 1742 muskets. This rare example has a Tower lock dated 1741, as does the example of this Pattern shown on pages 30-34 of the above referenced book. The musket has an attractive brass wrist repair that was carefully and masterfully applied using two brass bands and a series of blacksmith made iron pins. The bands go over the original wrist escutcheon. The barrel is marked in the center on top of the breech with Tower proofs and on the left side of the breech with "EI" for barrel maker Edward Jordan. It is also marked on the left side of the breech with a "24 / 4". Tang stamped with a crown. The convex banana lockplate is marked "TOWER / 1741" on the tail and engraved with a large crown over "GR" in the center. There is a crown over broad arrow ordnance stamp below the pan, denoting British government ownership. The brass furniture is all of the 1742 pattern, the wrist escutcheon has punch dot initials, partially obscured by the top band of the wrist repair. The substantial stock has a large bulge on the handrail. Iron sling swivels. Right side of buttstock deeply stamped with very clear crown over intertwined "GR" storekeeper's stamp. A clear crown over "10" stamped behind triggerguard and a "9" behind sideplate. Period iron ramrod. CONDITION: Very good overall. Barrel retains a light brown patina with good markings, some pitting at breech around touchhole. Lock is in its original flintlock configuration, functions well and has excellent markings. Brass retains a pleasing dark mustard patina. Stock very good with scattered marks from use and a small chip in front of lock tang. A very untouched and historic Revolutionary War American-captured Brown Bess Musket.
Caliber/Bore
.80 Smoothbore
Model
1730/40 Pattern Brown Bess