British, 1859 Tower Two Band Short Percussion Musket, Obsolete Calibre

*British, 1859 Tower Two Band Short Percussion Musket, Obsolete Calibre*

Marked on Lock Plate: Crown Cypher over V.R., 1859 Tower. 68 etched in stock.

53cm barrel, 92.9cm overall. Brass butt plate.
This is a British military issued Tower made two band “short” percussion musket. Dated 1858, the lock bears the royal cypher Crown over VR.  Fixed sight.  Artillery regiments were often issued with shorter weapons as a last line of self defense.

“Tower” mark: For most of the flintlock and percussion periods, the Tower of London served as a storehouse for arms, but no arms were actually made there. Contractors made the various parts, and brought them to the Tower for inspection. Locks were delivered assembled but with the lockplate soft and “in the white”. The lock would be inspected, then disassembled and the parts inspected. If accepted, the lockplate would be stamped with the word “Tower” before hardening it. Once all the parts were finished, the lock was reassembled, inspected again, and placed in stock. Tower workers assembled muskets as needed from stocks of parts. If there was no immediate need for arms, parts were stored for future assembly, which could often be years later.

*Condition*
Good used condition. The hammer half cocks, cocks and releases with a strong spring. Discolouration to metal parts, lovely patina to wood. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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