Late 18thC Officer's Fusil (Musket) by William Ketland & Co., Birmingham, England, Original flintlock, NOT reconverted. British military proof marks. During this time period, British Officers were required to supply their own weapons. Wanting lighter longarms than the standard issue Brown Bess, they procured scaled down versions of the Bess, often with special features and of smaller caliber. This piece has a .65 caliber bore compared to a Brown Bess .75 caliber. Lock marked "CROWN/W Ketland & Co". Brass furniture. 36" barrel with excellent bore for its age. An almost identical example is illustrated in George Neumann's "Battle Weapons Of The American Revolution". Very nice example.
