British Flintlock Officer's Fusil Musket Carbine Post-1813

A very good example of a British officer's fusil shortened for use as a carbine. In early use in Colonial North America, the fusil was a much lighter variation of the Brown Bess standard line infantry musket, bought privately by officers and sometimes by Regiments for issue to Sergeants. By origin, these weapons were multi-purpose fowlers - in common use by the colonists for hunting, personal defence and militia service. They were often brought over by British officers for both sporting and service use. Accordingly, there was no standard bore or barrel length, although the Brown Bess musket bore of .75, as in this example, was common because government ammunition was readily available. These bespoke muskets became loosely known as "officers' fusils.

It is not clear when this fusil was originally made, The .75/29.5 inch barrel, which appears to have seen little use and may be a replacement, has a mirror finish bore and a bayonet lug doubling as a foresight. It also bears post 1813 proof marks and is secured by a hook breach. The high quality roller frizzen step-tailed flat lock is engraved "Welch Keane & Co." and functions perfectly. The brass tang of the butt stock is engraved with the number 124 while the wrist escutheon is blank. A rare opportunity to acquire an interesting antique firearm of historic significance."