December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
Napoleon’s planned invasion of the United Kingdom at the start of the War of the Third Coalition, although never carried out, was a major influence on British plans for homeland defense and led to the rebuilding and mobilization of militia units, as well as the formation of a multitude of volunteer corps of horse, foot and artillery naval strategy and the fortification of the coast of southeast England. Britain essentially remained an armed camp, except during brief intervals of peace in Europe, until 1815. The gentlemen who joined such “white glove” infantry corps wanted lighter arms than the heavy Land and India musket patterns furnished the militia and various patterns were produced by British gunmakers to supply the demand. This fine volunteer’s musket has a 39 in. L barrel of 0.78 caliber (unmarred) bore with double-struck Tower private proofs near breech, but the lock and brass mounts slighter and the walnut stock less robust than with an India musket. This musket is in VG condition, bright finished with some light surface rust to iron parts and a few handling marks in the wood. The edged, round lock is excellent working order, with a ‘crown/GR’ before the cock and a flat ‘S’ sideplate opposite it.