Manufactured circa 1784. It has a browned twist sighted smoothbore barrel with tip-up breechblock signed "D. EGG. LONDON." The flat bevelled lock has engraved double border lines, the crowned ‘"GR" cypher, "D. EGG" on the tail, and is struck with an Ordnance inspection mark beneath the priming pan. It also features a three-quarter walnut stock of regulation type, brass mounts including the trigger guard incorporating a socket for the tip of the unusual long spear point bayonet, barrel retained by two iron bands, and London proofmarks. It includes a browned reversible socket bayonet with checkered socket. The carbine is illustrated and described in P. Hawkins' "The Price Guide To Antique Guns & Pistols" (1973) on p. 318. Colonel Lord Ainslie ordered two breech loading carbines based on the Crespi system which had recently been adopted by the Austrian army from the famous London gunmaker Durs Egg on 25 December 1782. Perhaps better known for his dueling pistols and sporting firearms, Egg had also produced the two pattern piece Ferguson rifles for the Board of Ordnance in 1776. Egg completed the carbines and requested payment in April 1784, but the breech frames of both carbines broke during proof firing requiring Egg to supply replacement frames. A group of 30 Crespi system carbines were ordered in February 1785 using Hennem screwless locks. The present carbine utilizes a conventional lock and has had a replacement frame fitted in period indicating that it is probably one of the two original pattern pieces ordered by Ainslie. One of the original carbines was presented to the Board of Ordnance while the second was given to Ainslie by King George III. Please see De Witt Bailey's "British Military Flintlock Rifles 1740-1840," pp. 87-90 for further information regarding the Crespi system Light Dragoon carbines.

Fine. Retaining 90% browned finish to the barrel and breechblock. The breechblock raises and locks in position in a positive manner. The lock is fine and has light age related surface marking, crisp details and mechanism. The stock is similarly very good with minor age related storage and handling marking. The bayonet has crisp checkering and retains 90% browned finish.