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Dutch Musket Purchased by the British Ordnance ca.1715

Dateca. 1700-1710

Maker Unidentified

OriginEurope, Netherlands

MediumWalnut, iron, and steel

DimensionsOverall: 60" Lockplate: 6 5/8" Barrel: 44 1/4" x .80 caliber

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number2021-59

DescriptionEarly 18th c. Dutch musket of conventional form with wrought iron mounts, a round-faced lock, and an octagon-to-16-sided to-round barrel with a top-set bayonet lug. Four sheet iron baluster-shaped pipes hold a wooden rammer, and a sheet iron nosebad secures the end of the stock.
Label TextMounted in iron, this early 18th-century Dutch musket is of a sort believed to have been purchased by the British Board of Ordnance in 1715. About 20,000 mostly used muskets and bayonets were acquired as a cheaper alternative to British-made ones. Not really good enough for the scarlet-clad front line regular regiments of foot, the Dutch muskets were thought perfect for the Irish, or even the American colonists.

The many markings on Colonial Williamsburg's example make it possible to trace its history through the 18th century. Its story begins with manufacture in the Low Countries, where it received the "Rampant Lion" (a.k.a. 'Leo Belgicus') mark on its breech. Once the musket became Crown property it was repaired and "proofed" at the Tower of London sometime before 1720. Then it received the markings of Ordnance Inspectors, an Ordnance ownership mark, and the Ordnance Storekeepers mark as it entered into inventory. It was later branded with "FH," the initials of the regimental or company commander to whom it was once issued.

At the outbreak of the French & Indian War in 1754, the Tower sent thousands of miscellaneous old and worn Dutch arms for the use of the American forces. Included in the shipment were many purchased in 1715, and this example is likely one of them. Markings, typical of those known to have been applied by later American owners are also found on this musket. The initials “I O” are carved into the left side of the buttstock while a large “X” over the date “17 x 61” (or 1767) is scratched into the right side.

Taken as a whole, the markings on this extraordinary and rare military firearm tell of a long life on two continents, in countless encampments, and on service with at least three vastly different armed forces of the 18th century.
MarkingsBarrel struck with a "Rampant Lion," a "Crowned 14," "Crowned Crossed Scepters," and a "Crowned Broad Arrow." Junction of barrel and breech also struck with a "Crowned Crossed Scepters."

Stock hot-branded with "FH" at the toe of the buttstock. Right side of butt marked with a "Crowned GR" cypher and lightly scratched with a large "X" over the date "17 x 61" (or 67). Left side of butt carved with the initials "I O." At the lower finial of the triggerguard a "Crowned 10," a "Crowned 14," and one other illegible mark are struck into the stock (possibly another 'Rampant Lion').

NOTE: The "Crowned 10" and "Crowned 14" markings are those of Ordnance inspectors, while the "Crowned Crossed Scepters" shows the musket was successfully proofed at the Tower of London. The "Crowned Broad Arrow" denotes Ordnance property, but the mark on this barrel was done with a punch that had its right tyne chipped off.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of George D. Moller