Musket of Unknown Origin

[sqornshellous]

Hi again, folks.

Here is the second weapon for which I could use help in identification. Realistically it is almost certainly a replica, although I cannot be certain of what manufacturer or era. To my knowledge, the owner had been in possession of this for perhaps three decades. Curiously, they lived in the dry Mojave desert of Southern California so I cannot readily explain the rust and corrosion. Any help is greatly appreciated. This was part of the same collection as the previously posted Swiss/French rifle estimated to date from the mid-18th century. Let me know if more photographs are needed. Thank you!

 

[Gene L]

I think the BP beneath a crown in a British BP smoothbore ML mark. However, someone who knows a lot more than I do will no doubt identify the musket firmly.

Pedersoli made a Grice 1762 Brown Bess repro. This could be one. Whatever, it's well worth cleaning up.

 

[hawkeye2]

It is indeed a Pedersoli Brown Bess and it has been upgraded by a former owner by adding the correct rounded side plate and the buttplate tang has been lengthened too. Kit Rqavenshear sold those parts for the upgrade. The Pedersoli sling swivels are all wrong and I'm surprised they weren't replaced too. I believe the stock was refinished as almost all of them were of a light color. The proofs and other markings would be on the left side of the barrel near the breach. They weren't stamped deep and could be hidden by the rust there or they may have been removed by whoever did the other work. Some 0000 steel wool and WD-40 will remove a lot of the rust and leave you with a representative Bess that has had a little less than ideal care in the hands of a Colonial. If the bore looks like the outside it can be honed and will shoot just fine. From the discoloration of the buttplate I might guess it was stored standing in a dirt floor building or a basement that saw some minor seasonal flooding

 

[cositrike]

Sorry to disagree, but this looks like one of the long land versions that were retailed in England by a company called Coach Harness in the 70's. I've had two. Don't know if they shipped to the USA, or if the manufacturers did (prob Pedersoli). They are quite sought after over here. Not totally correct, but a good try.
Barrel length would be the teller. Is it 46" or 42"

 

[sqornshellous]

Barrel length is 46". Thanks for the feedback!

 

[hawkeye2]

Had me fooled, :redface: I could have sworn the lock was Pederosoli but I see now that it isn't.

 

[Wes/Tex]

It' is one of the late LLP muskets that were produced or at least assembled in England and available through Dixie Gun Works, and perhaps others, in the late 1970s. I got one in 1979 from them and had it for years til the idiot bug bit me and I converted it into a 24" barrel horse gun. Then it was stolen and I gave the remaining barrel to one of our posters here as a project! Never once claimed to be anything but an idiot! :rotf: Would love to find another!

 

[sqornshellous]

Thanks for the info. If I can clean this up, would I be able to find any marks from the manufacturer? Also, what would something like this be valued at? Thanks.

 

[Ildar]

In Russia, such costs from $ 1,000

 

[rickystl]

WOW!! Nice find. I've never actually seen one. But I do remember when it was listed in Dixie's catalog. Maybe as early as the mid-70's (?) Yes, I remember the description mentioning they were made in England in limited quantities. I remember they were expensive at the time. Iwould have bought one if my young self had the money back then LOL.
Again, congrats. Nice find.
Rick

 

[cositrike]

Probably marks on the underside of the barrel. Remove pins carefully and the tang screw. If you're lucky there won't be too much rust on the underside. Don't know the value in USA. Here they are pretty rare now.would think $1300 dollars +.

 

[Keb]

I saw one of these for sale in a shop in northern Ohio for $1000.00 I believe it's still for sale so maybe it's priced a little high at $1000

 

[Mickc01]

With a little cleaning you will have there a very nice musket indeed.... :hatsoff:

 

[Artificer]

Sorry to disagree, but this looks like one of the long land versions that were retailed in England by a company called Coach Harness in the 70's. I've had two. Don't know if they shipped to the USA, or if the manufacturers did (prob Pedersoli). They are quite sought after over here. Not totally correct, but a good try.
Barrel length would be the teller. Is it 46" or 42"

I remember them being advertised when new and that company was still making them, but they were prohibitively expensive at the time for me, as much as I lusted after one.

I am extremely interested in the points you mentioned that were not correct/authentic on them, though? I have never had one in my hands to examine one. Not sure if I will ever come across one, but have always wondered if they were worth buying - even if one has to do some work on them?

Gus

 

[Wes/Tex]

The one I got through Dixie was well made and a virtual copy of what an original late LLP would have looked like. Touch hole was well positioned and she always fired first time out...assuming I had the flint well secured! Only markings were the BP black powder stamp on the barrel and under the lock plate...that one always puzzled me since I have no idea why it would also appear on the back of the lock plate!

 

[Artificer]

Thank you Wes,

Do you perchance remember if the butt stock had more drop than say a Pedersoli?

Gus

 

[Wes/Tex]

Not 100% sure any more...but memory says it may have been a smidge straighter stocked then the Pedersoli. It was a comfortable gun to shoot, for sure. Would love to find another!

 

[Artificer]

Thanks Wes,

Those muskets were too expensive for my finances "back in the day," but if one became available nowadays, I might be willing to fight off the Guardian Moths in my wallet and allow enough money to escape to purchase one, myself. I would very much like to see one in person.

Gus

 

[cositrike]

Very close to originals. I've seen one worked on by someone who really knew his stuff. Came out lovely. Well worth getting if you can pick one up for a reasonable price.
Simon

 

[Artificer]

Thank you.

Gus