Guns International #: 101846440
Seller's Inventory #: 215324

Category - Antique Rifles - 1500-1850 - Antique Rifles - Flintlock

Category
Antique Rifles - 1500-1850
Antique Rifles - Flintlock

Rev War KING’S AMERICAN REGT British BROWN BESS Flintlock Musket Antique With REVOLUTIONARY WAR Dated INSCRIPTION

Description:
Rev War KING’S AMERICAN REGT British BROWN BESS Flintlock Musket Antique  
With REVOLUTIONARY WAR Dated INSCRIPTION
Here we present an antique Short Land Pattern Brown Bess Flintlock Musket. It is inscribed by hand “JOHN POTTES/NOVEMR 23, 1778/NT (probably NJ for New Jersey)” on the stock and “KA RT” for King’s American Regiment of Foot is marked atop the barrel. The King’s American Regiment was a British Loyalist fighting force raised in Staten Island in December of 1776. The KA Regt. fought the Battle of Forts Clinton & Montgomery on the Hudson River (6 October 1777) under General Sir Henry Clinton, capturing and burning the forts in an effort to control the Hudson. On 29 August 1778 the KA Regt fought the Battle of Quaker Hill (The Battle of Rhode Island). The unit also participated in the Siege of Charleston, Virginia (29 March-12 May 1780) the result of which was one of the largest losses for the American rebels with over 5,250 captured personnel along with much materiel. They continued on to Richmond, Virginia (January 1781) where the British would take the city, sack and torch it under the command of the infamous Benedict Arnold—another major defeat for the Patriots. In March, the regiment became the 4th American Regiment of Foot and was folded into the so-called “American Establishment”, which increased the status of the unit to what was essentially considered equal with British Regulars and was aimed at increasing Loyalist enlistment. 25 December 1782 saw the regiment folded into the British Establishment. The regiment would fight til the end of the war, evacuated from New York in September of 1783, and disband in October of that year in New Brunswick, in British Canada.
As for the carvings on the stock, the date of November 23, 1778, no doubt was significant to the inscriber, who was likely John Pottes. Pottes enlisted as a Private in the 4th New Jersey Regiment. The 4th NJ originated at Elizabethtown, New Jersey for the Patriot cause 16 September 1776. Notable actions were at the Battle of Brandywine (11 September 1777) which saw a British victory and subsequent capture of Philadelphia, Battle of Germantown (4 October 1777) which saw another British victory, and the Battle of Monmouth (28 June 1778). The 4th disbanded shortly after in February 1779.
Certainly, the worse for the wear, this musket started life in British hands and appears to have fallen into American hands at some point.
Functioning action. The smooth bore is in good shape (aged). Walnut stock contains above average wear (significant wear around the barrel pins, stable cracking at side plate and under the trigger guard). Replacement ramrod. A very neat piece of history!
Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction. 

Barrel is 42 inches.

Caliber: .75 Flintlock

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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$8745
#215324

 

SOLD

Antique: Yes