December 16, 17, & 18, 2025 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/17/2025
This musket was likely captured by the American forces at the Battle of Yorktown in Virginia in 1781. These muskets are very hard to find variations of the Short Land pattern muskets. For an example of this pattern, see pages 132-133 in “The Brown Bess” by Erik Goldstein & Stuart Mowbray. Another example of this pattern that was captured at Yorktown can be found displayed at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, PA. The "S" refers the the s-shaped sideplate, which differs from the other standard and earlier Short Land Pattern muskets. This example has a standard 42" barrel with two Tower proofs in the center near breech and a star over "IC" on the left side. The convex lockplate is standard with engraved double-line borders, "TOWER" at the tail and a large crown over "GR" in the center. Below pan is a small crown and broad arrow, denoting British government ownership. The brass hardware, aside from the sideplate, is all of standard Short Land design. The walnut stock has a relief apron carved around the barrel tang and a crown over intertwined "GR" storekeeper's stamp on the right side of the butt at the base of the "T" in the carved American initials "TL". CONDITION: Barrel retains a brown patina with proofs showing some wear, touchhole was rebutted during its period of use. The lock is in its original flintlock configuration and retains a brown patina, marking excellent. Period frizzen and frizzen screw are replacements. Brass retains a dark mustard patina, wrist escutcheon a later replacement. Tip of buttplate tang is missing. Stock shows scattered wear, minor losses and marks from use. Ramrod slightly short.
Caliber/Bore
.75 Smoothbore