October 30, 2019 The Collection of Steve & Marcy Hench
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2019
The following history surrounding this carbine is from a description done for the buyer by James L. Kochan: "During 1776, the need to arm the new Highland Regiments (Fraser's and Montgomery's) with shorter and lighter longarms prior to deployment in America led to the issuance of light horse carbines then in store at the Tower of London as a stop-gap measures until special arms could be developed and put into production. Approximately half of all these carbines were originally stocked to the muzzle and thus, incapable of accepting a socket bayonet; the carbines were altered at the Tower by cutting back the forestock approximately 4-1/2", placing a thing nose cap of sheet brass to the end of the forestock and brazing a stud of the top of the barrel to accept the bayonet. Additional alterations include removing the side bar and ring for a horseman's belt (the sidebar being screwed to the sideplate and swell of the stock) the forestock hole being plugged and a new hole drilled on the forestock to accept a front sling swivel, as well as brazing a brass stud of the trigger guard to take a rear sling swivel, thereby allowing the attachment of a leather foot soldier sling to the carbine. These alterations ceased after 1759, when a new pattern carbine for Highland and Light Infantry was developed that had slightly stronger mounting and a 42" barrel. In summer 1775, Colo Samuel Cleaveland, senior Royal Artillery officer in America, requested the Board of Ordnance to ship 2,000 carbines to Boston on the orders of General Thomas Gage, commander-in-chief in America. These light firearms were intended for sergeants in the battalion companies of all standing British Infantry regiments in America, where were then carrying halberds, an axe-like polearm that also doubled as a badge of rank; halberds were deemed both impractical and unwielding for the active field service anticipated in the coming spring campaign. The obvious arm of choice was the P1771 Sergeant of Grenadiers carbine, which had also been issued to light infantry sergeants when those companies were added to regiments in 1771-1772, but there were no ready stocks of such specialized arms on hand to meet the large demands coming from America. The Board of Ordnance decided to refit 2,000 of the remaining P1756 Horse carbines in store at the Tower in the same manner that had been done during 1756-1758 for Highland troops. The carbines were sent aboard two Ordnance storeships that fall, with orders to join the Cork convoy then assembling for departure to America. Delays prevented the departure of this fleet until early 1776 and during a storm, the Ordnance transport 'Hope', which carried 1,000 of the carbines and bayonet, packed in 40 chests, was separated from the rest of the convoy. She arrived off Nantasket Roads on May 17th, 1776 and was captured by one of General Washington's privateers, the Continental schooner 'Franklin', Captain James Mugford commanding, with a crew of 20 other Marblehead men. The carbines, about half of which were sent to Connecticut, were subsequently ordered on to New York by General Washington, who desperately needed arms for his troops (then preparing for an anticipated attack upon that city by the combined British army and fleet). However, one of the Continental regiments raised in Connecticut for one-year's service and also under orders for New York, was still destitute of arms. It was thus determined to issue enough carbines from the Connecticut stock to equip Durkee's 20th Continental Regiment before its march to New York." The carbine has a standard tapered round barrel with bayonet lug mounted on top near the muzzle. There are traces of British ordnance proofs on to of the breech, which were most likely removed at the time of capture. The rounded carbine lockplate is marked "EDGE / 1762" at the tail and with traces of the large engraved crown in the center. Most of the crown, as well as the small crown over an arrow beneath the pan, have been intentionally removed during the period. Standard brass Pattern 1756 carbine furniture and iron sling swivels. There is an indentation on the forestock where the carbine bar was once attached, but it was intentionally removed and the iron sling swivels were added at the Tower before they were sent to America. Walnut stock of classic British form with bulge at the ramrod entry ferrule and a relief beavertail around the barrel tang. Right side of buttstock marked with American regimental markings "20xR 3 C No 67". Complete with period, probably original ramrod. Complete with a framed 21-1/2" by 17-1/2" hand-colored engraving of Captain James Mugford of the Franklin Continental Cruiser, who captured these carbines. The engraving is dated 1854. CONDITION: Barrel retains a brown patina with some corrosion at breech. Lock shows a matching patina with some light pitting, cock is a replacement. Brass retains a dark mustard or brown patina. Stock shows wear, scattered age cracks and minor splintering along right side of forend. A small chip is missing above front lock tang and some other minor chips missing around lock. Engraving is yellowed and shows some staining and water damage. Colors are bright and there are no losses. Frame shows some minor chips. A very scarce and important American-captured and regimentally marked carbine. PROVENANCE: Purchased from James L. Kochan.
Caliber/Bore
.69 Smoothbore
Model
Pattern 1756 Carbine