The Brown Bess is very likely the most recognizable and iconic of all flintlock muskets and played a crucial role in the British Empire and United States history. This example has "FARMER/1743" marked on the tail of the "banana" lock, the standard Georgian cipher at the center of the lock, government proof and inspection marks on the lock and barrel, "36" on the thumb plate, bayonet stud/blade front sight, sling swivels, wooden ramrod with brass tip (correct type for the 1740s), and walnut stock with brass forend cap, bulbous swell at the entry pipe, attractive carved flats and fluted comb with an added brass stud at the nose. The lock dates it to the same year Fleming's Regiment of Foot returned from The War of Jenkin's Ear during which they participated in the attacks on Cartagena. Shortly after their return, they were deployed to Flanders during the War of Austrian Succession and were then sent to quell the Jacobite Rising of 1745 in Scotland during which they participated in the Battle of Falkirk and famous Battle of Culloden before returning to Flanders where they were on the losing side of the Battle of Lauffeld. They were renamed the 36th Regiment of Foot under the July 1751 royal warrant that established the standardized regimental number system. During the Seven Years War, they participated in attacks on the French coast, and they were stationed in Ireland and subsequently India during the American Revolution. A brass tag attached to the trigger guard indicates it was formerly part of the collection of F.W. Roebling III, which contained a wide array of colonial era arms.

Very good plus with mostly brown patina on the iron, some light pitting, aged patina on the brass, mostly distinct lock and thumb piece markings, faint markings on the barrel, and general scratches and dings. The re-oiled and repaired stock has breaks just to the rear of the upper sling swivel and between the mid and entry pipes (spliced), numerous scrapes and dents throughout, and some smoothed moulding/carving. Mechanically fine.