Pattern 1777 Short Land Brown Bess muskets were manufactured circa 1777-1782. One of the salient visual features of the Pattern 1777 lock is that it now has a shorter sear-spring when compared with the previous pattern Brown Bess lock and also has two screw-ends visible in the lock behind the hammer. "55 REGt" marked on top of the barrel and has government proofs at the breech. During the Revolutionary War, this musket falls in the right time frame to have possibly accompanied a soldier of the 55th Regiment of Foot through the Philadelphia campaign, in which they participated in the Battle of Brandywine in September 1777, Battle of Paoli later that same month, Battle of Germantown in October 1777, with the regiment transferred to the West Indies in November 1778 where they would see action at the naval Battle of St. Lucia in December 1778. Most of the 55th Regiment was captured at the siege of Brimstone Hill in February 1782 during the French invasion of Saint Kitts. Features a top mounted bayonet lug, crown over "GR" marked at the center of the lock, "TOWER" at the tail of the lock, and "A/48" unit markings on the wrist escutcheon. Monogram initials carved into the right of the buttstock in which an A has a top edge appearing to form a T, and the line through the middle of the A comes to a point to form an F. Front swing swivel absent. Includes socket bayonet marked "WHEELER" (faint).

Very good, dark brown patina on the barrel and lock, moderate flash pitting, crisp markings on the lock and wrist escutcheon, and visible markings on the barrel. Pleasing golden aged patina on the brass fittings. Stock is also very good with scattered light scratches and dents, a repaired/reattached forend, cracks visible ahead of the lock and side plate, a 1 1/2 inch absent sliver on the left below the barrel, a crack visible between the ramrod finial and trigger guard finial, and a few chips behind the upper tang. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is good with gray patina under mild surface corrosion.