Brown Bess Nova Scotia Militia Converted to Percussion

A 3rd model Brown Bess musket with 39 5/16" barrel. Marked on the lock "Tower" with crown over GR and lock viewer's mark. The conversion to percussion was done with a drum and replacement hammer. The stock is marked 9B-Annapolis M, for "9th Battalion Annapolis (Nova Scotia) Militia" The cheek side has a surplus sale "Broad Arrow in circle" mark. These muskets were militia converted to percussion and then sold as surplus with the advent of cartridge arms. Government proofs at the barrel breech. Fair bore and in interesting piece of Nova Scotia history. The Annapolis militia was created under the Militia Act of 1795 and remained in place until the Nova Scotia Militia was disbanded in the late 1860's. In 1855 the N.S. Assembly ordered the serviceable muskets to be converted to percussion. This piece is an above average example of a proper conversion. So many were "blacksmith" converted where the finest tool in the conversion was a five pound maul. It is unfortunate that in the collecting zeal of the 1960's, many of these converted guns were reconverted back to flint. This is an exceptional example of a government conversion that has survived as such and in excellent condition. Antique