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LOT 0296
Tower 'Brown Bess' Musket and Bayonet
CIRCA 1800 A.D.
68 in. (4.60 kg, 173 cm with bayonet).
Napoleonic era musket with 93cm (36½") smooth-bore barrel of .75" bore with London proof marks, the lockplate with 'TOWER', 'crown-over-G R' and inspection marks; fitted with full wood stock stamped 'S' and 'IR' to left side and butt with brass butt plate, trigger guard, ferrules, fore-end and sideplate; fitted with sling swivel loops and steel ramrod with cleaning rag eye; action working well in half and full cock, with correct steel socket bayonet.
ProvenanceAcquired from Andrew Bottomley, UK, 2014.
The Kusmirek Collection, UK.
Accompanied by copy of the invoice and listing.
This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.204080.
The 'Brown Bess' musket, in several versions, was the standard British infantry longarm from about 1736 to 1838; some were later converted to the percussion system.
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the Firearms Act, 1968, to be held as a curiosity or ornament. No license required but buyer must be over 18 years of age. Overseas bidders should note that, due to UK regulations governing export of all firearms, overseas buyers will need to make arrangements for shipping this lot out of the UK directly, by air freight, with a specialist company or agent.
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AUCTIONS:
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Post Medieval Spanish 'Conquistador' Cuirass Set
17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £3,510
The breastplate with pronounced vertical rib and two rivets to front, roll at neck and splay at base with rivets to full perimeter, with inked accession numbers '21238A' (crossed through) and 'SDM - EW1' above '1931 - 30 - 6, a' and inked handwritten paper label reading 'Old Spanish Armour (Conquistador) / Found with remains of Spanish Galleon on / the estate of Leakin family (Georgia) coast. / about 1870. Refer to Trinity College Hertford Ct. / for information in Leakin family. / Given originally to Mrs Mark Howden (Hartford Ct.) / [ ] when I was 7 years old. / Luke W Lee 1944' in eight lines and also with chalked 'Old Spanish Armour / from Georgia 1944' inscription in two lines; the backplate generally matching but with vertical groove at centre and no splay at base, with inked accession numbers '31238B' (crossed through) and 'SDM - EW1' above '1951 - 30 - 6, b'. 3.3 kg, 42.5 cm high
From a Southern Californian museum, with accession numbers. Ex American collector. Acquired from TimeLine Auctions, UK, 2018, lot 181. The Kusmirek Collection, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.204020.
Trinity College, Hartford was founded in 1823; further research in their archives could provide more information on this cuirass set and the site of the 'Spanish galleon' shipwreck discovered in about 1870. -
Luristan Bronze Axehead
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £130
The fan-shaped cheeks leading to a convex cutting edge; rounded butt and flat in section. 120 grams, 22 cm
Acquired 1980-2015. Ex Abelita family collection. -
Luristan Bronze Arrowhead Group
2nd-1st millennium B.C.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £80
Comprising arrowheads of various types, mainly including leaf-shaped and barbed types, with midribs. 257 grams total, 12-18 cm
Acquired 1990s. From the collection of a late Japanese weaponry collector.
