Age needed for early Flintlock Sideplate

[Woodland Detectors]

I was wondering if anyone could date this brass Flintlock side plate?
Dug in NC, it measures around 6 inches long. There is a marked "X" on the back

Thanks!

 

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[kuger]

I cant,but awesome piece Doug!!

 

[Hill Billy]

I cant,but awesome piece Doug!!

He be Mike!

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Yez, I be Or you can call me Ray

 

[kuger]

Yez, I be Or you can call me Ray

I knew that.....dont know where Doug came from?I dont think he reads my replies any way

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Looks to be from a First Model Brown Bess, which puts it firmly in the 1700's, cool find!

http://www.middlesexvillagetrading.com/M1BB.shtml

 

[timekiller]

Agreed although that sideplate style was used on other type guns.The first model brown bess would be a good guess.
Take Care,
Pete,

Little history...............................& a pic. of the real deal.

Historical Background

Also referred to as the 1st Model, this musket was the first of British muskets to adopt brass hardware. Developed in the 1720s, this musket was used all the way up to the American Revolution. There a number of versions to this musket.

Additional changes were made to its design in 1742, however the basic look remained the same. The major change for the 1742 was the introduction of the double bridle to the lock. This is the 1742 version with Seven Years War war-time steel rammer conversion.

While a new model was introduced in 1756, officials were insistent that the new musket would not be issued until the 1742 Long Land Musket stocks with Regiments and in the armouries had been depleted. This practice was confirmed when the 77th and 78th Regiments (Montgomery's and Fraser's Highlanders) were raised in 1757 for service in North America. Instead of receiving the new model, they received the 1742 model. In addition the reported replacement by numerous regiments of wooden rammers with steel ones also confirms the universal use of the 1742 model in the French and Indian War. The 1756 model is simply not suitable for French and Indian War reenactment.

By the opening of the American Revolution there would have been a mixture of Long Land and Short Land Muskets in use by British Forces. One historian suggested the Loyalist or Provincial Corps would have received the 1742 Long Land Muskets because that was what was in stores after the French and Indian War.

Most certainly the Long Land pattern would have found its way into the Continental Army as muskets were captured from the British and taken from colonial armouries, particularly at the beginning of the war before arms from France started to flow.

The musket offered here comes with a steel ramrod. When this musket was first manufactured numerous regiments particularly in Ireland were supplied with steel ramrods. One British Officer, General Hawley, objected to the steel rammers and subsequent rammers were made of wood. Surprisingly at the same time the French Army had decided to switch to the steel ramrod! The British eventually switched back to the steel ramrod in the 1750s when the 1756 version was introduced. As well during the Seven Years War (French and Indian War) numerous regiments carrying wooden rammers were ordered to switch to steel ones.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Looks to be from a First Model Brown Bess, which puts it firmly in the 1700's, cool find!

http://www.middlesexvillagetrading.com/M1BB.shtml

Bingo! Great ID. That is good news. Thank you Ken

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Looks to be from a First Model Brown Bess, which puts it firmly in the 1700's, cool find!

http://www.middlesexvillagetrading.com/M1BB.shtml

Bingo! Great ID. That is good news. Thank you Ken

congratulations on an old piece!
hopefully the rest is nearby!!!!!