Lot 149: Liege Contract British Short Land New Pattern Flintlock Musket

These Liege contract British Short Land New Pattern muskets are described on pages 375-378 of George D. Moller's book "American Military Shoulder Arms Volume I" with this exact musket pictured at the top of page 376, at the top of 377, and on 378. The picture caption at the top of page 377 states, "The lock of this Liege-made Short Land New Pattern musket is equipped with a frizzen spring with trefoil finial... there is no broad arrow marking under the pan. Although the cock is border engraved, the frizzen's front face is not. "TOWER" marked vertically on the tail of the lock and the "crown/GR" Georgian cipher marked at the center of the lock. Raised letters "IG" in a sunken rectangle marked on top of the breech, attributed as the mark of Liege gunmaker Jean Gosvin. Features include a top mounted bayonet lug, iron ramrod, and brass fittings. Large initials "BMB" and PR" carved into the left of the buttstock. Small "GDM" (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a socket bayonet (too tight, does not properly fit), and a later Swiss leather sling. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Good with smooth brown patina overall, mild flash pitting, and crisp lock markings. Stock is also good as lightly sanded and re-oiled with numerous scattered scratches and chips, some filled in repaired chips, a crack ahead of the rear lock screw, a few cracks behind the side plate, scattered minor chips behind the lock, a crack behind the right of the barrel tang, a crack behind the lower tang, a long mild scratch on the left of the buttstock, and carvings as mentioned above. Mechanically fine. Included bayonet is good.