December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
A fine volunteer’s musket of the Napoleonic period as carried by a member of the elite Honourable Artillery Company of London (HAC), which during this period consisted of an artillery company, called the “Matross Division”, plus a battalion of infantry consisting of eight line “divisions” or companies, one light infantry and one rifle company. This smoothbore, flintlock musket in its original configuration has a 39-inch long, tapering, round barrel of 0.77 bore, pin-fastened but with hooked breech. It bears “LONDON” engraved near the breech, as well as London Gunmaker’s Company view and proof marks to the left opposite the vent hole. The lockplate, 1 1/8 x 6 inches, is flat with beveled edges and has the maker’s name, “BECKWITH” stamped into the plate under the bridled pan. The maker is almost certainly William Andrew Beckwith, who was free of the Gunmaker’s Company in 1801 and contractor to Ordnance Board and the East India Company. Located at Skinner Street, Snow Hill from 1802, he was elected Master of the Gunmakers' Company in 1808,1814,1825 and 1840 (the year before his death). The lock has a rollered frizzen spring and the gooseneck cock is furnished with a rather unique upper jaw configured to also serve has a flashguard to the pan. The brass mountings consist of a buttplate and triggerguard of Short Land form, with flat, triangular sideplate, a nosecap, and three ramrod pipes. The sling swivel and iron ramrod are original, the latter bearing issue markings: “N.W / 9”, signifying that this was musket issue 9 to the Northwest Division of the HAC infantry battalion. On the sideplate is engraved "W. H. Browning." Correspondence with HAC Archivist Justine Taylor in NOV 2021 has revealed that this arm belonged to William Hardwicke Browning, who was 18 when admitted to the Company as a cadet on 16 June 1808 and elected sergeant in the 2nd Company the following year. The figured, walnut ¾ stock has the number “2” superimposed over “4” stamped on the underside behind the triggerguard (which may relate to Browning's service with the 2nd Company, with the arm renumbered 4 for that unit; he remained a member with HAC until 1832). CONDITION: very good overall; lock in good working order; the lockplate and cock were originally blued, but no traces remain. The iron parts a pleasing gunmetal grey, with light freckling, while the stock with only a few, scattered, light dings or bruises.
Paperwork
folder of documentation