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SCARCE BRITISH PATTERN 1756 FLINTLOCK CARBINE BY

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
SCARCE BRITISH PATTERN 1756 FLINTLOCK CARBINE BY

I. LUDLUM OF BIRMINGHAM. Cal. 69. NSN. Bbl. 32" w/ flattened rear section & brass bead front sight has crowned "V" & "P" London proofs at breech end along w/ bbl. makers mark a crowned "WS" (most likely William Staples of Birmingham). 6" Rnd. bodied lock w/ slight arch & pointed tail is fitted w/ rnd. bodied serpentine cock, inset rounded pan, unbridled frizzen & feather spring w/ fleur-de-lis finial. Lock has dbl. line border engraving & "I. LUDLUM" (working in Birmingham) is in front of cock. Walnut handrail type stock extends to muzzle & is pinned to bbl. Stock has raised beavertail around bbl. tang & is brass mounted w/ early brown bess style relief cast furniture. Triggerguard has husk finial. Serpentine rounded sideplate has long extension. Buttplate has tall steeple shaped top tang. Sideplate has cut at top lock screw where saddle ring bar was originally attached & a corresponding mounting hole is through stock about 4" from front lock screw as the forward attachment point for ring bar. Brass wrist escutcheon is engraved w/ fancy crest. Central figures being 2 griffon, one rampant & the other passant both under a crown & on pedestals. A similar carbine by Staples & Ludlum w/ similar crests but w/ Birmingham bbl. proofs is at Colonial Williamsburg. A hickory ramrod is held by 2 beaded pipes & matching thimble. CONDITION: very good to fine, appears to be all original except for replacement of last 2" of wood at muzzle. Bbl. retaining old brown patina over scattered pitting. Marks are clear. Lock retains some old bright polish, possibly original w/ subsequent rusting. Brass, once cleaned has nicely toned to dark gold. Stock retains most of it's original finish w/ numerous marks & dings w/ good hand worn patina at grip & front carrying point. Old ramrod is missing it's tip. There is a lg. shrinkage crack at toe w/ some old infill. A rare & important early British carbine. PROVENANCE: From the Collection of James B. Taylor. (01-20549/MGM). ANTIQUE. $5,000-7,000.