Tower Musket Value

bang_on_sk

bang_on_sk

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Hi folks, my dad has a Tower Musket that's been in the family for generations, apparently since the Upper Canada Rebellion, it was issued to one of my ancestors, an officer in the Gore Militia. During the ensuing altercations, he was shot at, and the enemy ball hit the stock of the musket, cracking it (the ball is still lodged in the stock) so it was not returned.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has an idea of the value of this musket (with bayonet), mainly for insurance purposes. It's in good shape, no rust, no other damage, and it's been shot as late as the 1980's.
 
Without seeing it all one can do is give a best-guess for value. Presume it is unaltered from flint and otherwise in working order range from low of 1500- up to 2500- or more depending on whether you can put provenance to it. If you can get the ancesters name and he can be verified as being involved in the conflict then a Canadian historical collector could pay more altho' some of them are mighty cheap. Nice piece of family history and myself would not part with it unless the money is needed elsewhere. Cheers
 
So, here's the pictures and a bit more info.

This musket has been passed down from my great-great-great grandfather through the male descendent with George as a first name. It's not a direct line, but I'll be the sixth George to own it (someday). The musket likely wasn't issued to my ancestor, but rather to one of the men under his command in the Second Gore Militia. The musket ball lodged in the stock was fired at the Government Soldiers as they advanced on Montgomery's Tavern, and the musket was given to George by Sir Francis Bond Head after the battle in appreciation of his services.

The sword shown in other pictures was also my ancestors and he also carried it in the Rebellion. As a kid, I always thought it was really cool that the handle is bound in shark-skin, it has a really neat texture to it.

Thanks for the advice, it's definitely staying in the family, hopefully to get passed onto a seventh George...

If anyone has any more info on it, I'd appreciate it.

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Your 'sword' is a cavalry sabre, not an infantry weapon of any kind. Is it possible to have a better in-focus shot of the stamps on the reinforce of the scabbard, and any markings on the blade itself?

TIA

tac
Ottawa Valley GRS
 
tacfoley said:
Your 'sword' is a cavalry sabre, not an infantry weapon of any kind. Is it possible to have a better in-focus shot of the stamps on the reinforce of the scabbard, and any markings on the blade itself?

TIA

tac
Ottawa Valley GRS
Click to expand...

I believe it's an 1803 Pattern British Infantry Sword, but I could be wrong. The scabbard is marked with my ancestor's name and " 2nd Gore Militia". The blade is engraved, and has a name on it (can't remember what it is) that my dad traced to a shop in London that sold officer's equipment, but no maker's name.
 
Greetings-Pics clear up a bit. Looks to be a 1796 India Pattern Musket. One report says 3000 were imported to Canada just before the War of 1812 so this could be one of those. May have LONDON on top of breech if it is. Barrel will be 39" or should be. Indicator is the "Dog bone" just behind the first ferrule. This swelling in the stock was a design feature to help protect the hand of the holder when it was used as a defense weapon after firing and in close combat. Theory was -a sword hitting the stock would dig in to this lump rather than sliding down and taking off fingers. Had one years ago that had a large chip out of the bulb so it did work at least in one case. Think values as suggested will hold and it's a really neat piece of family history !!
 
Good god man that's an 1803 pattern Flank Officer's sword! I owed one without scabbard, gold engraved, partially blued Osborn & Gunby, and that was over a grand. Sword and Bess you own are a fantastic piece of family history.
Your relatives may have rubbed shoulder's with the giants in Canadian history, Fitzgibbon and others.
A 10 out of 10!
 
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