December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
At the opening of the French and Indian War, only one Highland Regiment, the 42nd Regiment of Foot or “Black Watch” existed in the standing British Army. Highland troops were esteemed for their stamina, martial prowess, and abilities as marksman. With the need for light infantry troops to effectively deal with Canadian irregulars and their Indian allies, the Crown soon decided to raise additional Highland Regiments for service in North America. The 1st and 2nd Highland Battalions, as they were first known, were raised at the opening of 1757 and soon renumbered the 77th (Montgomery’s) and 78th (Fraser’s) Regiments of Foot. Instead of the heavy Long Land Pattern muskets carried by most of the British infantry, including the Black Watch, it was decided instead to arm the new Highland corps, who were to function as light infantry, with shorter, lighter arms of 0.65 caliber, known as carbines. Initially, both regiments received P1744 horse carbines refitted for use as infantry. However, these arms were found to be inadequate, being too flimsily constructed and their short (37 in.) barrels were believed to be less accurate than longer barreled arms.
Thus, by 1758 a new pattern Highland carbine was developed and approved for production and issue. The additional companies raised for the 77th and 78th were armed with these P1758 carbines in 1759, which had 42 inch barrels, improved locks, and more substantial stocks and mountings than the retrofitted cavalry carbines of the 1757 issue. The 42nd Foot or Black Watch was also rearmed with these carbines by 1760. Carbines of the 1758 pattern (which Bailey refers to as Pattern 1760—a modern appellation) were also issued to new Highland regiments and Light Infantry regiments then being raised for service in Europe, the Indies, and the Philippines. This pattern subsequently became known as the “Light Infantry” carbine, as all the troops so armed with them, including the Highlanders, were essentially light troops. In addition to the longer barrel, these carbines had lighter mountings, including a unique “thumbpiece” or escutcheon plate affixed to the small of the butt-stock, oval-shaped with an arrow-like protrusion at one end. These smaller mounts, including the thumbpiece, have been found at Fort Ligonier, which was occupied by troops from both the 77th and 42nd Highlanders between 1758-1764. Originally configured with wooden ramrods, the demand for iron ramrods by colonels of various Highland and light infantry corps who were to receive these specialty arms led to changes in setup orders and most of those completed during and after 1759 were fitted with iron ramrods. About 2/3ds of the surviving examples today are so configured with iron ramrods, as this superb example, which was assembled at the Small Arms Office of the Tower, using a Farmer & Grice contract barrel (their touchkmark is on the left of the barrel, near the breech and Ordnance view marks are centered on the barrel nearby), with the P1758 lock furnished by Vernon and dated 1759 at tail. There is a deep storekeeper's stamp on the right face of the butt, with inspection marks behind the triggerguard and a stockmaker's 'T' touchmark behind the sideplate; a number "2" is stamped on the tang of the buttplate. CONDITION: This carbine is in superb condition, the lock is in very good working order, with all original ironwork and brass mountings; the figured walnut fullstock bears setup marks in the channel, inspection marks behind the triggerguard, with a deep storekeeper’s stamp on the right of the buttstock. Metal is bright-finished and stock has bruises and dings expected of its age, but otherwise very good.