Pattern 1757 Militia Brown Bess by Jordan c1757

Offered here is a very rare, original, pattern 1757 Militia or Marine Brown Bess musket. This musket, made by Jordan, is dated 1757 and still has its original wooden rammer. The patterns 1757 and 1759 Militia/Marine muskets differed from the standard Bess of the era. They featured a flat side plate, no nose cap, no rammer tail pipe, a short butt tang and no wrist plate. The pattern 1757 also has a wooden rammer while the pattern 1759 has a steel rammer. The .75 caliber, round, smoothbore barrel with front sight measures 42 inches, while the whole arm measures 61 inches. The barrel has worn proof and inspector’s marks and is also engraved ‘DORSET – M’ (for Dorset Militia). The rounded lock and cock features boarder line engraving, a bridled flash pan and the GR royal cypher. ‘IORDAN / 1757’ is on the lack tail. Note that in those days ‘J’ was written as ‘I’. The action is still in very good working order. The brass butt plate, trigger guard and three rammer pipes are all in good condition. The butt tang is engraved ‘4/3’ and the sling swivels appear original to the arms. For a musket that is 267 years old the stock, is in very good condition with no repairs or major damage. The right side of the shoulder stock is marked with a ‘M’ over a crown and broad arrow while the left side has. ‘MD’ for the Dorset Militia. A rare collecting opportunity. Sold as a collector item only. Price includes shipping in Australia, layby available.