The consignor identified this rifle as an "experimental flintlock jaeger rifle of Hesse-Hanau Freikorps type with bayonet circa 1780" and notes to check out the somewhat similar rifle on page 65 of "British Military Flintlock Rifles, 1740-1840" by Bailey which also notes that the Hesse-Hanau Freicorps were the only German riflemen to have rifles designed for use with bayonets. It is also loosely similar to the "Flintlock jaeger rifle of the type used by the Hessian auxiliaries of the British Army during the Revolutionary War" shown as figure S-47 on page 106 of "Weapons of the American Revolution" by Moore. This rifle is probably from the late 18th or early 19th century and based on the jaeger rifles which gained exposure thanks to their use by the "Hessians" during the American Revolution. The same type of bayonet-bar was used both on the first example above and on some 19th century military rifles. Note that the rifle has a simpler stock without ornamentation and different wrist/butt design as well as simpler furniture. It also features seven-grooved rifling, a sword bayonet bar on the right side of the barrel at the muzzle, a dovetailed brass blade front sight, a notch rear sight with a folding leaf, crude London commercial type proofs on the upper left at the breech, "EGG" marking on the lock, non-bridled pan/frizzen, a plain trigger, brass furniture, iron sling swivels near the front of the forend and on the butt, cheekpiece on the left, and a wooden patch box with patches and tools inside. The ramrod has a large head which would have made it easier to load using a mallet. The later modified bayonet has a brass hilt with an escutcheon on the right and a 13 3/4 inch Bowie knife style blade with a 4 inch clip point, 7 1/2 inch rear edge, and "FENTONANDSHORE/SHEFFIELD" on the left ricasso. Fenton & Shore of Sheffield were active in the 1840s and 1850s. Also includes a leather scabbard.

Very good with a mix of faded period refurbished brown finish and brown patina along the barrel, mostly gray patina on the tang and lock, spots of minor oxidation/pitting, aged patina on the brass, refinished stock, cracked and spliced forend, a crack at the rear lock screw, chips at the front of the patch box lid, and mild scrapes and dings. Mechanically fine. The bayonet is also fine and has mottled gray patina and oxidation on the blade which has an uneven edge and partially worn marking, aged patina on the hilt, and restored scabbard.