EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT BRITISH PATTERN 1718 IRON MOUNTED MUSKET (PRE FIRST MODEL BROWN BESS) REGIMENTALLY MARKED FOR POCOCK COMPANY 3 (KING’S REGIMENT OF FOOT) WITH BAYONET.

inv# 01-19062

Cal. 78. NSN.

Two other examples of this very rare early 18th century musket are known in America, one being at Colonial Williamsburg while the other is in the West Point Museum. This musket has 45 1/2″ rnd. bbl. pinned to stock. Rear portion is stamped with British proofs and engraved “Pocock, C3 No 17”. Lock with arched rounded plate has inset rounded pan, unbridled frizzen and feather spring with long flame finial. Exterior of lock is not maker marked, interior is stamped “BO” in rectangular cartouche. Rear portion of lock is engraved with royal crown over the initals, “G. R.”. Lock is fitted with lg. rnd. bodied serpentine cock with top jaw that has short notch to align it with spur. Very early style walnut “handrail” stock has deeply fluted comb with Ogee transition to grip. Raised fields with tear drop terminals at rear are around front and back of lock and sideplates. Bbl. tang is also outlined. There is a pronounced palmswell at thimble. Stock extends to within 4″ of muzzle and has steel cap. Pin of sling loop also helps secure stock to bbl. All furniture is of iron, trigger guard with very distinct 1st model “Brown Bess” type finial has fluted trigger guard bow unique to this model. Iron buttplate with pronounced rounded heel has long spear type top strap which is engraved “MAJrs Comp y”. There is an iron escutcheon at top of grip which is unmarked. Sideplate is of early 1st model serpentine type. Steel ramrod with button head is held by 3 small-beaded iron pipes and thimble.