Pattern 1760 Light Infantry Fusil Finished

[smart dog]

Hi,
The finish finally cured and the carbine is done.  It was a TRS parts set that I bought from a third party.  The 42" Rayl barrel is 65 caliber, I built the lock from castings, the black walnut stock was a precarve by TRS.  It was finished mostly with files and scrapers and stained to look more like English walnut.  The parts set had some historically incorrect features such as a cast nose cap and inletted brass Bess trigger plate.  I corrected those but the comb of butt stock should be more bulbous like the earlier Brown Bess muskets. After filing off the machine marks I was left with less wood than I would wish. So be it.  It is what it is.  If I don't sell it to someone in the British Brigade, I'll have it at Dixon's.

dave
 

[rick/pa]

Dave, once again you have managed to combine attention to historical detail with fine, nay, excellent workmanship. Your firelocks are an inspiration to all. Thanks for posting this.

[rich pierce]

Fit for a high ranking officer!

[ToddCook]

Beautiful; extremely realistic work. I can picture that being issued to an officer.

[Daryl]

Yes indeed, that is a "lovely" musket.

[smart dog]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the comments and interest.  This fusil or carbine was issued to all or most light infantry companies serving in North America by 1776 not just officers.  The first British shots at Lexington and Concord were probably fired from these carbines because the advanced companies were all light troops from the 4th and 10th regiments, interestingly, led by a Royal Marine major and lieutenant.  Marine officers led the way that day.  The first British shots at Concord's old north bridge were fired from these carbines.  The British troops facing John Stark at the rock wall on the beach at Breed's Hill were light "Bobs" from the 52nd regiment carrying these fusils.  Until they began to be replaced by the short land pattern musket in 1777 and 1778, these carbines were the primary gun carried by the light troops some of whom carried the pattern 1776 rifle.  It is arguably one of the most historically significant guns of the Revolutionary War and deserves its due.

dave   

[tallbear]

Nice work Dave!!!!

Mitch

[Tim Crosby]

 Dave, The fit and finish on that gun is second to none, Man it is beautiful!

  Tim

[Kary]

Wow! That is some really really nice work!!

[smart dog]

Thanks folks,
Tim, if you look at the closeup photos you can see the finish has sort of a "lemon peel" look and texture.  That is because the final surface was achieved with fine files, scrapers, and no finer than 120 grit sand paper.  After staining, I pushed the wood fiber down by burnishing with an antler tip.  That gave the surface a little texture and when finished an old mellow look.  I may add one more coat of oil varnish, which will give the gun a little glossier, thicker varnish look.  You know darn well that the ordnance setters up slapped on thick oil-varnish using dirty brushes and without much cleaning of the stock before hand.  The process had to be fast and but effective.  The finish on mine is probably too fine but once the eventual owner uses it and beats it up a bit, I think it will look exactly right.  I did a militia musket and a New England fowler for 2 reenactors and both were used heavily.  The scratches, dirt, dings, and dents on the guns now look so authentic that you could put them in a museum case with originals and they would fit right in.

dave       

[Jim Spray]

Dave, Your attention to detail is top shelf for sure. Very, very well done!
Your photos are also very nice.

Jim

[KC]

I've never been as drawn to the fusils and Brown Bess guns but his one is beautiful. It has me thinking my focus is too narrow. Well done for sure.
K.C.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Very clean and crisp Dave.  I like it a lot.

[Ed Wenger]

Great looking Fusil, Dave!!



         Ed

[Pukka Bundook]

A lovely job Dave,
Very attractive!
you nailed it.  :-)

[Clint]

Clean as a whistle!

[davec2]

David,

I find it hard to understand how you can let the guns you build go off to a customer.  Each one is unique in some way and staggeringly well executed....the history....and the mechanics.....and the artistry.....never cease to amaze and delight me.  Magnificent job and thank you, not only for the photos and explanations of problems encountered and solutions applied,  but for the detailed explanations of how you accomplish all aspects of the work.  Thanks again

dave c

[Kevin]

David,

This is truly a fine smoothbore.  If I wasn't already lined up to take delivery of a smoothbore in the first half of 2021 I would be inquiring about this piece.

Thanks for posting,
Kevin 

[smart dog]

Hi,
Thank you all.  I am glad this kind of historic firearm makes a splash.  It should because it is historically important.  The light "Bobs" were often the units opposed to American riflemen.  They were sometimes attached to German Jaeger units as a foil to riflemen with considerable success.  They were a critical addition to Ferguson's rifle unit during their march from Head of Elk, Maryland to the Brandywine battlefield. Accordingly, light infantry units suffered higher casualties than all other British units during the Rev War.  They were some of the best units and they paid the price.  This was the gun most carried during the critical first 3 years of the war. 

Dave Crisalli, thank you for the compliment.  Your work defines clean and crisp.  This gun has some warts because of the parts set but also because British Ordnance was not making show pieces.  They were making disposable weapons, something I know you understand well. It is a challenge to give a gun a historically correct look and feel. I am continuing to learn how to do that. Regardless, the pattern 1760 light infantry fusil or carbine was very elegant and feels more like a fowler than a musket.  It is a very great but unappreciated military gun.

dave