Marking on butt stock

[debnal]

I have a 1742 militia model Brown Bess. It is marked Y+C over 149 on the left butt. Can someone give me some information on the markings?
Al

[backsplash75]

Appears to be one of the York City (UK) commercial muskets ca. 1745 ("Y+C" marks are likely Napoleonic era). Lock should be signed Watkins. There are later ones by Ketland with same markings (bottom pic). These guns hit the UK arms market in the 1960s.

See Ross Egles' Muskets for the Blues of York, 1745 (Arms Collecting vol 28 33, no1 Feb 1995)

and

Muskets for the Blues of York and the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 by Brian C. Knapp (spring 21 Arms and Armour Society Newsletter)

[debnal]

The lock is marked R Watkins. I have been told that the Y stands for York City, York County or York Castle. I was wondering if anyone had any definitive information on the markings. Also, I have been told the 1742 models were for the Jacobite rebellion.
Al

[backsplash75]

[debnal]

Blacksplah75,
Good info.
Al

[WESTbury]

Appears to be one of the York City (UK) commercial muskets ca. 1745 ("Y+C" marks are likely Napoleonic era). Lock should be signed Watkins. There are later ones by Ketland with same markings (bottom pic). These guns hit the UK arms market in the 1960s.

See Ross Egles' Muskets for the Blues of York, 1745 (Arms Collecting vol 28 no1)

and

Muskets for the Blues of York and the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 by Brian C. Knapp (spring 21 Arms and Armour Society Newsletter)

Backsplash & Al,
The Ross Egles article is indeed in Arms Collecting Magazine but I'm quite certain it is in Vol.33, No. 1 (Feb. 1995). At least that is the article I have.
Kent

[debnal]

WESTbury,
Can you be more precise on the magazine? Do you refer to the Canadian journal?
Al

[WESTbury]

The copy I have of Vol.33 No1 Feb 1995 looks to have been published in Canada. It is 8-1/2 x 11" and I think it was published by Museum Restoration Service.

I have several Arms Collecting magazines with "The Canadian Journal" on the cover as well as "Arms Collecting". Those magazines are 7" x 10". I think I got some of them from Joe Salter.

Kent

[debnal]

Kent,
Thank you.
Al

[backsplash75]

Appears to be one of the York City (UK) commercial muskets ca. 1745 ("Y+C" marks are likely Napoleonic era). Lock should be signed Watkins. There are later ones by Ketland with same markings (bottom pic). These guns hit the UK arms market in the 1960s.

See Ross Egles' Muskets for the Blues of York, 1745 (Arms Collecting vol 28 no1)

and

Muskets for the Blues of York and the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 by Brian C. Knapp (spring 21 Arms and Armour Society Newsletter)

Backsplash & Al,
The Ross Egles article is indeed in Arms Collecting Magazine but I'm quite certain it is in Vol.33, No. 1 (Feb. 1995). At least that is the article I have.
Kent

Incorrect Volume number edited above, that is the one.
thanks!

[debnal]

Kent,
Thanks, I have ordered the magazine.
Al

[JV Puleo]

I'm virtually certain that marking was Napoleonic for the York City Volunteers. Years ago Turner Kirkland bought a group of them...all short land pattern muskets and identified them as being marked for York Castle. All that remains of York Castle is the ruin of the keep. Most of it was blown up in an accidental gunpowder explosion in the late 17th century so it was never a functioning "castle" when any of these guns were made.

[lexington1]

In addition to the source cited above, there is also this:


It has some good information regarding the York City Blues and the Watkin Besses.

Here is my Y+C marked version.

[dadybear1]

BEAUTIFUL WOOD!!!!!!!