A BRITISH PATTERN 1756 LONG LAND SERVICE MUSKET WITH MASSACHUSETTS MARKINGS, c. 1762. Barrel shortened to 44 1/2 in., .80 caliber, the breech with ring decoration, marked on the top with Tower ordnance proof marks, the left side marked with an asterisk over 'RE' for barrel maker Richard Edge; percussion converted convex lock plate with double line border engraving and pointed tail engraved 'EDGE/1761' and engraved with a crown over 'GR' below next to a crowned broad arrow stamp in front of the cock; walnut stock with inspector's marks in the rammer channel and behind the trigger guard; brass furniture of proper form including a butt plate with long stepped tang, thumb piece, convex side plate, trigger guard with an acorn finial, cast brass rammer pipes and nose cap; sling swivels and later wood rammer. Overall lg. 60 1/4 in. Footnotes: Note At the beginning of the American Revolution Massachusetts, like every other colony, was faced with a serious shortage of arms with which to arm the Continental Army growing around Boston. To fill the gap, arms were purchased from every available public and private source. As a result, the army was equipped with a wide variety of military and civil weapons. In an effort to account for and ensure that colony-owned arms were identifiable, several different ways of marking guns were employed such as stamping numbers on barrels or applying markings to stocks. Although no record has yet been discovered documenting this exact mark, the 'MASS' brand on the butt of this musket is undoubtedly a Massachusetts ownership mark. Its size, approx. 3/8 inch tall by 1 1/2 inch wide, and position bears similarities with other official American military markings appearing on Revolutionary War arms use by American forces such as the stamped markings occasionally seen on muskets used by the 20th Continental Regiment as well as 'U:STATES' and 'UNITED:STATES' surcharged weapons and accoutrements starting in 1777. An American militia musket with the identical 'MASS' brand constructed with a British/British-style barrel and furniture mounted on a British Land Pattern-style stock fitted with a French lock was sold in these sale rooms in 2024 (Rare and Historic Firearms from the Blanchard Foundation Collection, Bonhams Skinner, September 23 - October 3, 2024, Lot 1019). For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing