Beschreibung:

The colony of New Jersey made at least two sizeable orders for muskets from the London and Birmingham gunmaking firm of Richard Wilson during the French and Indian War. The first order was for muskets similar in form to the Pattern 1742 Long Lands, with 46-inch barrels and wooden ramrods, the majority of which were issued to Schuyler’s New Jersey Regiment or “Jersey Blues.” Many of these arms were lost in the ambush of a 300-man detachment of that regiment at Sabbath Day Point on 27 July 1757. A subsequent order with Wilson was made 2,000 additional “light arms” in 1757, this time made configured with iron ramrods and featuring a double-bridled lock, and barrel of smaller caliber. These muskets were issued to the Ranger companies raised by the colony and the reorganized and expanded “Blues.” After the war and subsequent, so-called Pontiac Conspiracy, many of these arms were returned to the colony arsenal, only to be issued out again during 1775-1776 to the 1st and 2nd New Jersey Regiments. This fine example is of the second New Jersey contract with Wilson and is one of only a handful still surviving without being restocked or altered from flint to percussion. It now measures 54" overall, with a 38 - 1/4", tapering round barrel of .72 bore, although it originally probably had a barrel length of 44-46"--part of the muzzle and forestock being cutback during its period of service. On the top of the barrel is engraved “LONDON” and the view and proof marks of the London Gunmakers’ Company and the RW touchmark of Wilson are struck on the left side of the barrel near its breech. The rounded lockplate has “WILSON” engraved before the gooseneck cock. With exception of the rounded sideplate and thumbpiece, all of the brass mounts are lighter and plainer in style than that found on Tower arms, including the buttplate, which has a 3-stepped tang, on which is engraved “NEW=JERSEY.” The thumbpiece is similarly engraved by the same hand “L / 4” and are probably ownership and issue markings engraved by the Wilson firm before shipping to New Jersey. CONDITION: The lock is in good working order, the cock being a period replacement of Tower form. There is a pleasing dark, uniform patina to all of the ironwork, the English walnut stock with considerable wear, including bruises and dings, as well as a long crack running from the small of the stock under the entire lock. There is also what appears to be an early repair to a crack across the wrist of the stock, including a reinforcement of tightly wrapped linen cording. PROVENANCE: From the estate of a Maryland collector; purchased by him from noted author and dealer William Guthman, who stated it was the only example of a Wilson New Jersey-marked musket known to him still in original flintlock configuration. JLK Name Value Accessories Barrel Length 38 - 1/4" Caliber/Bore .72 Smoothbore Drop at Comb Drop at Heel FFL Status Antique Length of Pull Manufacturer New Jersey Model Flintlock Musket Paperwork Serial Number NSN