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DS1982-261
Pattern 1756 Land Service Musket
DS1982-261

Pattern 1756 Land Service Musket

Dateca.1761-1764
Maker Board of Ordnance
OriginEngland, Birmingham and London
MediumWalnut, iron, steel and brass
DimensionsOL: 61 3/4" Barrel: 46" x .78 caliber
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1982-7
DescriptionPattern 1756 Long Land Pattern musket of standard form, with walnut stock, round barrel, rounded brass mounts and straight-bottomed Pattern 1755 double-bridled lock. Other Pattern 1756 features include a cast-brass nosecap, a steel rammer and a long trumpet-mouthed top rammer pipe.
Label TextThough Britain began producing Land Pattern muskets with steel rammers during the French & Indian War, it only issued them to regiments being sent into action in Europe. Since the steel rammer was smaller in diameter than a wooden one, pipes with a reduced diameter were incorporated into the new pattern, along with a long trumpet-mouthed pipe near the muzzle. It is believed that Pattern 1756 muskets first arrived in America in the late 1760s or very early 1770s.
MarkingsLock engraved with "Crown GR" ahead of cock and "VERNON / 1761" in two lines behind, and a "Crowned Broad Arrow" is struck under the pan. Barrel is struck with the usual Ordnance View & Proof marks, in addition to the maker's mark "IW" under a star (for John Whately). Barrel is also engraved with "31 REGT" and the wristplate is engraved "B / 7."