East India Company Windus Pattern Musket by Griffin & Tow Dated 1779

NSN, .76 Caliber, 38 7/8" barrel with a fair, darkly freckled bore. This musket has Griffin & Tow markings on the lockplate and barrel, with matching 1779 dates, and large East India Company property markings. The metal has an overall dark plum-brown patina, with scattered areas of light pitting and surface oxidation, heaviest at the barrel breech and on the pan and frizzen. The lockplate and period replacement cock also have some mild surface oxidation throughout. The lock itself is still fully functional. Borescope examination of the breech reveals no evidence of reconversion. The pin fastened walnut stock has numerous small handling marks and blemishes scattered throughout, with a clear East India Company stamp on the right side of the buttstock, as well as an old name written on partially torn paper tape next to the trigger guard. Some small chips are present around some of the stock pins, and there is a short crack running forward of the rear sideplate screw. The brass fittings have an overall dull ochre patina, and the sling swivels are no longer present. A fairly bright gray metal ramrod is included. The "Windus Pattern" musket was named after Lt. Col. Edward Windus, EIC’s first small arms inspector, and was adopted by the company in the early 1770s to arm its ships and troops. They were eventually adopted into general British service as the "India Pattern" in the 1790s. Many of these muskets saw service in the Revolutionary War, either through purchase, or outright confiscation from EIC ships. This well-marked example is in very good condition, and would make a splendid addition to any collection. Antique