Liégeois Short Land Infantry Musket
Dateca.1778-1783
Maker
Board of Ordnance
OriginEurope, Belgium, Liege
MediumWalnut, iron, steel, and brass
DimensionsOA: 57 9/16" Barrel: 41 5/8" x .80 caliber
Credit LineGift of Mr. & Mrs. John R. Muckel of Indiana Plumbing Supply.
Object number1986-167
DescriptionLand Pattern infantry musket of standard form with walnut stock, round barrel, brass mounts and straight-bottomed Liégeois lock with two screws showing through on tail of lockplate.Label TextDuring the height of the Revolution, Britain simply couldn’t produce enough muskets for the war effort and turned to Continental Europe. Belgian arms makers in Liège produced over 100,000 copies of the Short Land “Brown Bess” musket to Board of Ordnance specifications to meet the shortfall. As second rate muskets, many thousands were sent to the rebellious colonies for the use of the Loyalists, amongst other troops.Mark(s)Lock engraved with "Crown GR" ahead of cock with "TOWER" behind and a crown is struck under the pan. Barrel is struck with the usual, but very worn, Ordnance View & Proof marks.
