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1951-338,A, Musket
Pattern 1730 Land Service Musket
1951-338,A, Musket

Pattern 1730 Land Service Musket

Dateca.1734-40
Artist/Maker Board of Ordnance
OriginEngland, Birmingham and London
MediumIron, steel, brass, walnut
DimensionsOL: 61 7/8" Barrel: 46" x .78 caliber
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1951-338,A
DescriptionPattern 1730 Long Land Pattern musket with walnut stock, round barrel, rounded brass mounts and curved-bottomed Pattern 1727 single-bridled lock. Pattern 1730 features include raised carving around the lock mortise, barrel tang and sideplate flat, and the earlier "Dutch" style triggerguard. While the noseband is a period-of-use modification, the wood rammer is a modern replacement of the correct form.
Label TextThough this very early “Brown Bess” pattern is known as Britain’s first standardized infantry musket, it is easy to see that she incorporates the best traits of earlier arms. The round-faced lock is engraved IORDAN and 1734, naming the contractor who made the lock that year, not when the whole musket was assembled. Her cast brass furniture is functional as well as decorative, and stands in contrast to the walnut stock. Few Pattern 1730s survive, but those at Colonial Williamsburg prove that the goal of creating a superb standard musket was met.

The first Pattern 1730 muskets issued for American use were sent to Georgia in 1737, for the use of General Oglethorpe’s Regiment. Normally, older arms were sent for colonial service, but the General was a good friend of the King, and got the best available from the Tower of London. Parts of these muskets have been found by archaeologists at the site of Fort Frederica, on St. Simons Island, where Oglethorpe’s Regiment was stationed.

This musket was once issued to Major Roger Lort's company of the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Lort was killed at the Battle of Fontenoy, fought on May 11, 1745 near Tournai, Belgium.

MarkingsLock engraved with "Crown GR" ahead of cock and "IORDAN / 1734" in two lines behind, and a "Crowned Broad Arrow" is struck under the pan. Barrel is struck with the usual Ordnance View & Proof marks, the numeral "4" and is engraved "ROYAL WELSH" near the breech. Wristplate engraved "C / No. 2" and the buttplate tang is engraved "MAIr. LORT."