Baldrick Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 This is a long shot, I know, and has nothing to do with pigeon shooting. However there's a chance that one or two fellow forumites are knowledgeable about antique firearms, and have blackpowder guns lurking in their cabinets: Is anybody on here familiar with the Short Land Pattern musket? I've inherited a privately commissioned musket, which has none of the Crown markings that the government issue muskets were stamped with. The lock is engraved "Simpson", presumably the maker's name. The stock is stamped with the initials W.Grant. Sadly the head of the hammer was broken off many years (decades) ago, although the lock is in good order. I was given the musket complete with its socket bayonet. Basically.... Is the musket worth anything (or worth more) if it's not a Crown issue version? Is it worth me investing in having the hammer replaced, and the gun restored? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 if i were u and it is in shootable condition, i would have the hammer replaced for the feeling of shooting a piece of history. hope it works out for u and that other reply. cheers flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Flash, I don't even have have any strong desire to shoot it, which is rather shameful. I'd like to either restore it to its former glory so that I can keep it and drool over it, or I could sell it to someone who has a genuine passion for shooting such pieces of history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roughshooter Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 put up a picture and give us a price - i always like to have something unusual for a change! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted May 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Will put up a photo. There's a lot of military-issue muskets of this type that get sold through Holt's/Bonhams etc. Prices are upwards of £2k for good Crown-issue guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Snotty is your man for this stuff,if you wait a while he might just surface Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snotty Posted May 5, 2006 Report Share Posted May 5, 2006 Snotty is your man for this stuff,if you wait a while he might just surface Short land, 42" barrel, 58" overall, 10 lb 8 ounces, 1740 onwards. When you say hammer, are you using the correct name for the steel, or do you mean the cock? There was a William Simpson contracted by the Ordnance 1718-20 of the pattern 1718 muskets, possibly the same chap trading at Castlegate, York 1738-56. How about a pic? PS: Whatever you do, don't try to clean it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flash Posted May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 finally the illusive snotty has surfaced to the expectations of Henry d cheers flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted May 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 (edited) Snotty, thanks for the informative reply. I was relying on an assumption about it being a Short Land pattern. I'm obviously wrong, as the measurements are a 39.5" barrel, 55.5" overall and with a weight of approx 8lb 6oz. Re your final point, on further inspection of screw heads, not only have I found that my late grandfather obviously tried to disassemble/tidy up the gun, but there is also a hairline crack in the woodwork nearest to the muzzle. Any advice/opinions always welcome! Edited May 6, 2006 by Baldrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snotty Posted May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 I'm no great expert but the 39" barrel, 55" overall, 71" with bayonet sounds like India pattern but the weight is low, that'd be 9 lb 11 oz with a 1 lb bayonet and you have a posh side plate. Perhaps it's a carbine, is the bore .75" or .65"? Your best bet is to post it on the MLAGB forum, www.mlagb.com You want an overall pic and shapes of all the brass bits. Also any marks on the barrel, there may be more names on the underside if you can get the pins out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted May 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 Brilliant, Snotty, I will try the MLAGB forum. Should have thought about that before.... The bore measures .75". I'll let you know what I find out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snotty Posted May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 The bore measures .75". I'll let you know what I find out. I wonder if it's a really posh one, it could be made much lighter if the barrel was damascene, unlikely, but the price would probably rocket. India pattern, with bayonet, broken cock, crack doesn't matter, I'd probably offer £1k if the bore hasn't rotted out, more if damascene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted May 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 Snotty, the barrel isn't damascene, sadly. However the bore appears to be in very good condition. When I saw the lock mechanism removed a few years ago, that too was in vgc. Hopefully someone from the MLAGB forum will be able to shed more light on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snotty Posted May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 Hopefully someone from the MLAGB forum will be able to shed more light on it. I shall be there, you'll recognise my avatar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted May 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 (edited) Yep, just seen your post. Have now sorted my life out, and will copy these photos across. Edited May 6, 2006 by Baldrick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snotty Posted May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 You might do better with more close ups, lighter pictures and less background Just my .02p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted May 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 Yep, I appreciate that. Just trying to give a general overview. Plus I have only just discovered the macro facility on my camera. Here's a shot of the only Proof marks I can find: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozo Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 All i can say bladrick is that your a very lucky man! shes lovely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted May 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 Indeed I am lucky to own it - it's a beautiful, and very impressive gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.