Lot 155

Dorset Marked British Brown Bess Flintlock Musket with Bayonet

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Dorset Marked British Brown Bess Flintlock Musket with Bayonet

Estimate: $5,000 - $8,000

Starting Bid: $4,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Dorset Marked British Brown Bess Flintlock Musket with Bayonet This musket is very similar to the "39 DORSET" marked musket in the Road to American Liberty display at the NRA Museums which is noted as: "Fabricated at Dublin Castle in 1775, this Short Land Service 'Brown Bess' musket was issued to the 54th Dorset Regiment, which arrived at Cape Fear, North Carolina, on May 3, 1776. Under command of British general Lord Cornwallis, the musket saw service at Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. The 54th was dispatched to New York, where it served under General William Howe in the New York and New Jersey campaigns against colonial troops under the command of General George Washington. Later, the Regiment fought in defense of Newport, Rhode Island, in August, 1778. Its last wartime commander was the American traitor Benedict Arnold, who led its troops in an attack on Connecticut in 1781. The 54th returned to Dorset, England in 1783, after the war had ended." Both muskets are not regulation Short Land Pattern muskets as they lack forend cap, wrist escutcheons, Ordnance markings, and the "crown/GR" cipher. Instead they are built more like the "Militia & Marine" muskets and have commercial style proofs and markings and simpler ramrod ferrules. Both appear to have been shortened while in service, likely for use by the Dorset Militia during the American Revolution, French Revolution, Irish Rebellion of 1798, and/or Napoleonic Wars. The Dorset Militia provided homeland defense while much of the Regular Army was off fighting the Americans and French. The musket features a block front sight/bayonet lug on top of the barrel, a crown over a sideways "S" above the vent, "43" and "DORSET" marked on top at the breech, what appear to be London commercial proof marks flaking a "crown/IH" maker's mark on the left at the breech, "W/BRANDER" marked bridle-less lock with double line borders, brass mounts, sling swivels on the forend and trigger guard, "43" branded on the wrist, and "43" and "I" marked socket bayonet.

Manufacturer: British

Model: Flintlock Musket

BBL: 39 inch round

Stock: walnut

Gauge: .76

Finish: bright/brass

Serial Number43

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Good as conserved/historically preserved overall with silver-gray patina on the lock and barrel with minor pitting, bushed vent sitting very low compared to the pan, some replacement small parts including the sling swivels, aged patina on the brass, refinished stock with some chips and slivers absent, and moderate wear. Mechanically functions.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000