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LOT 1110
Documented French and Indian War Era British Marine/Militia
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. I BY MOLLER
Pattern Brown Bess Flintlock Musket with Grice 1759 Dated Lock, Unit Marking, and Matching Unit Marked Bayonet - NSN, 80 cal., 42 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. British “Marine or Militia” muskets, manufactured c. 1756-1762, are described on pages 241-243 of George D. Moller’s book
“American Military Shoulder Arms Volume I” with this exact musket photographed on pages 241 and 242. The book states, “Most marine or militia muskets were made to satisfy the increased demand for arms resulting from the Seven Years’ War
[AKA French and Indian War]. These muskets were similar to contemporary Short Land Pattern muskets but had a lower degree of finish and were produced without unnecessary furniture, such as wrist escutcheons, lower thimbles, and forend caps.”
Features a top mounted bayonet lug, crown over “GR” marked at the center of the lock, “GRICE/1759” at the tail of the lock, and “ABD/3/53” British unit markings on the buttplate tang (no solid information relating to the markings found at this
time). “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes socket bayonet unit marked with the same “3/53” as on the gun, and leather sling. CONDITION: Very good, mottled dark brown patina and scattered moderate pitting on the barrel and lock with crisp markings on the lock and buttplate. Pleasing bright patina on the brass fittings. Stock is also very good with numerous scattered scratches and dents, cracks on both sides at the front of the forend, a chip at the front of the lock, and a hairline crack visible at the left of the buttstock. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet matches condition of the gun. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500 LOT 1111 Very Scarce Documented French & Indian War Era British Flintlock Light Infantry Fusil with 1759 Dated Farmer Lock and Bayonet - NSN, 69 cal., 42 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This light infantry fusil is pictured and discussed on pages 247-250 of “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume I: Colonial and Revolutionary War Arms” by George Moller. He notes: “The light infantry companies, along with grenadier companies (who were considered to be the army’s elite), served on the flanks of the regular infantry. The light infantry were the army’s skirmishers and could serve to turn an enemy’s flank during an offensive. Defensively, the light infantry carried out patrols and countered
enemy skirmishers. The Light Infantry fusil was issued to some of the light infantry units raised during the Seven Years’ War. It was not issued to the light infantry during the American Revolution.” Light infantry were less encumbered, trained for faster marching and maneuvers, and were meant to be able to quickly engage and counter the enemy. They were also employed as scouts and for small scale raids. This fusil was manufactured during the French & Indian War (1754-1763) that pitted the United Kingdom and its American colonies against the French and their Native American allies. A young George Washington’s actions are often credited with causing the outbreak of the war which began over land disputes in the Ohio Country. The victory of the British expanded their territory past the Appalachian Mountains all the way to the Mississippi River as well as north with the take over of Canada and helped set the stage for the tensions that led to the American Revolution. Thus, this rare fusil is connected with the chain of events that led to the founding of our country. The fusil is essentially a lighter, smaller bore musket, but it does not actually share components with the normal Brown Bess. Like the Bess, the front sight doubles as the bayonet lug, and the barrel has Ordnance proofs at the breech along with a “2” and crown and letter mark (barrel maker). The lock has the Georgian cipher and inspector mark at center, engraved double line borders, and “FARMER/1759” marked on the tail. The cock has a “1” on the base. The furniture is brass. The side plate has an “I” marking and a “JC” marking just behind the tail. There is a storekeeper mark on the right side of the stock and two additional markings behind the trigger guard tang. Includes a leather sling, a metal ramrod with trumpet head, and a socket bayonet. CONDITION: Very good with smooth gray patina on the lock and barrel, minor spotting, aged patina on the brass, and minor wear overall mostly from age and storage. The re-oiled stock is also very fine and has scattered dings and scratches, some flaking at the barrel tang, and some faint splits in the grain on the forend. Mechanically fine. This is an incredible rare British martial long gun from “the war that made America.” Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000 LOT 1112 Rare and Historic Samuel Davis Attributed New York Map Powder Horn - As stated in an included handwritten note, this horn was carved by Samuel Davis at Fort Ontario in northwest New York on Lake Ontario per noted horn authority Walter O’Connor. The horn is comparable to the horn by Samuel Davis carved in 1761 during the French & Indian War for John Bayley. Both Davis and Bayley served in the same company of the 2nd New York Regiment. The body of the horn features a map of New York with various named settlements represented. At the center on one side is the coat of arms of the United Kingdom and near the top is a Masonic square and compass with an “MB” monogram as well as another fainter square and compass. A display stand is included. CONDITION: Very fine overall with distinct carving, moderate attractively aged patina throughout, some expected minor hairline cracks around the base at the wood juncture, and generally minor overall wear typical for its age. A truly outstanding powder horn! Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. I BY MOLLER
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