This flintlock was originally sold by IMA USA, a good source for originals.
The flintlock lock plate of this fine musket is signed W. KETLAND & Co. under a crown. This smaller lightweight musket commonly referred to as a fusil pronounced back then fuzee. This musket is in .65" bore, the same ball size as an officer's pistol at the time. The style is identical to a regular .75" Brown Bess musket. Fusils such as these were commercially made and would have been officer's private purchase weapons. Quite scarce in that only some officers chose to arm themselves with long arms when leading troops into battle.
This fusil has downsized Brown Bess brass mounts as issued from 1740 up until 1796 however the side plate opposite the lock is of differing design which dates this musket between 1780-1800.
The barrel is 40" in length, slightly shorter than the regular 2nd pattern Brown Bess of 42", and bears British proof marks. The musket comes with the original matched scaled down socket bayonet which has sustained slight damage half way down the 15" length where there is a small crack and kink from where some bright spark tried to lever something using the bayonet while attached to the musket, easily restored if required.
