The Long Land Pattern was the dominant infantry arm of the Royal Army during the French & Indian War (Seven Years War) and were used into the American Revolution by both the Royal Army, loyalist troops, and the American patriots. Their use in the two most significant conflicts in 18th century North American history make them highly desirable. Most of these muskets were cut down to the more manageable Short Land Pattern length of 42 inches making unaltered Long Land Patterns particularly valuable. This example bears the unit markings "4 BT NJV" on the barrel and "B/4" on the thumb plate. The New Jersey Volunteers were Loyalist troops in the American Revolution. Like most Loyalist troops, they are mostly seen as traitors by Americans today, but tat the time they saw themselves as patriots fighting against insurrection and for maintaining ties with Great Britain. The marking appears to be for the 4th Battery rather than the 4th Battalion given other muskets with battalion markings simply marked with "B." Regardless, both the 4th Battery and detachments of the 4th Battalion saw significant action during the war. The New Jersey Volunteers were raised by Cortlandt Skinner, the last royal attorney general of the colony of New Jersey, and thus known as Skinner's Greens based on their green uniforms early in the war. They raided from State Island and detachments of the volunteers were part of the British capture of Savannah, the defense of Staten Island, the Loyalist defeat at the hands of Patriot militia at the Battle of King's Mountain (often said to be a turning point of the war), and the siege and eventual British surrender at Yorktown which effectively secured American victory in the east. The 4th Battery under the command of infamous turncoat Brigadier General Benedict Arnold fought at the Battle of Groton Heights on September 6, 1781, where the victorious British forces reportedly massacred the surrendering patriot forces. Groton Heights was the last significant battle in the north and one of the last British victories in the war before Yorktown. The musket has the standard blade front sight that doubles as the bayonet lug, the unit markings noted above, British military proof and inspection marks, the King George cipher and "GRICE/1763" on the 7 inch long lock, 11 1/4 inch long trigger guard, buttplate with 5 3/4 inch tang, and 61 1/2 inch overall length.

Very good as restored. The barrel has a dark blue-brown blend of patina and applied brown finish and shows moderate pitting concentrated at the breech. The unit markings are mostly crisp, but the inspection marks are smooth. It is not uncommon to see issued muskets with well-worn inspection markings given these muskets were regularly buffed by soldiers during two major North American conflicts. The lock has crisp markings, brown patina, and some mild oxidation/pitting. The brass has attractive aged patina throughout. The stock has been varnished and has numerous scattered dents and dings, some mild chips, and a few discreet repairs (nose of the lock and forend). Mechanically fine. Loyalist muskets like this are certainly hard to find as are full length Long Land Patterns.