Rare India Pattern Brown Bess New Brunswick Militia Musket by Ramsay Sutherland

Serial #75, .75 Caliber, 39 1/2" barrel with a fine, bright bore that has some mild freckling along its length.  This musket was manufactured ca. 1820 as part of a small contract with Ramsay Sutherland of Birmingham with the New Brunswick Militia to refill their depleted stocks of Tower muskets.  The muskets were built with surplus Tower parts with the Crown and Tower markings removed from the lockplates and "RAMSAY / SUTHERLAND" added in their place (the "LONDON" markings at the rear of the plates were left alone, however).  The number of guns produced for the contract is unknown, but was likely fewer than 500 given the very small number of New Brunswick Militia muskets that are known to have survived to the present day.  The barrel of this example has much of the browned finish remaining, with some mottling towards the muzzle, some thin streaks of gray fading, and some minor pitting around the vent as well.  The lock has a mottled gray patina throughout, with some areas of plum-brown freckling on the cock, pan, and frizzen assembly.  All markings are crisp and clear.  The pin-fastened stock has minor handling marks and blemishes scattered about the original oil finish, with "75" scratched into the wood on the right side of the buttstock indicating that this was the 75th musket assembled in the production run.  The brass sideplate, trigger guard, nosecap, buttplate, and ramrod pipes have a uniform dark ochre patina with some minor marks and small dents scattered about.  Both the rear sling swivel and forward sling bail are still present, as is the correct iron ramrod.  The action locks firmly at both half and full-cock.  This is a rare New Brunswick Militia musket, and the best preserved example we have ever seen.  It would make a splendid addition to any collection.  Antique