Birmingham British Brown Bess Flintlock Musket .75 Cal 1820 Antique
SOLD FOR: $700
WOA#: WY240327LG026
Make: British, Birmingham Armory “Tower of London”
Model: Brown Bess
Serial#: NSNV
Year of Manufacture: 1820-1830 (GR Crown – Reign of King George IV)
Caliber: .75 Cal
Action Type: Flintlock, Muzzle Loading, Black Powder
Markings: The lock plate is marked “TOWER” with a GR Crowned Crest. The left side of the barrel is marked with 2 British Proofs. The top of the buttplate is marked “K s / No 207”.
Barrel Length: 39”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a shallow blade fixed to the top of the barrel. The top of the breech has a shallow groove to serve as a rear sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is one piece walnut with side plate, lock plate, straight grip, straight comb, brass buttplate, brass capped forend, three brass ramrod pipes, and installed ramrod. The stock rates in Very Good condition. There are scattered compression marks, nicks, and scratches. The stock is cracked on both sides of the upper tang at the breech with minor losses as well.
Type of Finish: Brass, In the White
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The smooth bore is very dark and corroded. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 2/10 for a black powder musket.
Overall Condition: This Musket retains about none of its finish. Most of the metal has taken a deep patina or is heavily eroded. Overall this Musket rates in Poor Condition.
Mechanics: The action functions. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: This musket comes with its ramrod.
Our Assessment: Flintlock firearms revolutionized personal weaponry from the early 17th to the mid-19th century, replacing matchlock and wheellock mechanisms with a more reliable and faster ignition system. Invented in France around 1610, the flintlock used a piece of flint striking steel to create sparks, igniting the gunpowder. This innovation significantly improved firing rates and reliability in various weather conditions. Flintlocks were widely adopted for military and civilian use, becoming the standard firearm for armies worldwide. The development of percussion cap systems eventually led to the flintlock’s obsolescence, but their impact on firearm technology and history remains profound. This British Flintlock rifle will need some restoration work but will still make a great reenactment piece or one for the collection. Please see our photos and good luck on your bid! – L.S.
