Product Details
LACY & CO, LONDON
A SCARCE .750 (REGULATION) SINGLE SHOT PERCUSSION MUSKET MADE FOR THE BANK OF ENGLAND, serial no. 85
made in 1853, with 39in sighted barrel 'in the white' inscribed forward of the rearsight 'BANK OF ENGLAND', regulation pattern border-lined lock signed 'LACY & CO' (traces of colour), border-lined hammer, regulation full-stock of Patt.42 style, brass furniture, the heel plate numbered '85', three stock keys and swivel band fixing barrel to forend, 'Lovell's' bayonet catch and its original ramrod stamped 'R & W.A.' (minor bruising to wood, small spots of discolouration to iron parts, generally very good throughout)
Other Notes: The Bank of England formed a picquet after the catholic 'Gordon' riots of July 2nd 1780 when rioters burnt Newgate prison and then turned their attention to the Bank, severely damaging it. The picquet was drawn from a detachment of Guards every night, and continued until 1973 when increased pressure from the Army finally managed to disband it; having claimed since the 1950's that it was a serious waste of man-hours and served no real purpose other than tradition.
Estimate £800-1,200