Help IDing some British and European firearms

[RDGAC]

And now a bit of a puzzler, at least to me. What looks like an ordinary enough flintlock musket, but seems a bit weird to my ignorant eyes.

Firstly, although it bears a very clear maker's mark and date (which is nice, though I know nothing about Corson (and?) Carr), the crown stamp, though positioned where you'd expect it to be, doesn't have any lettering to accompany it. The crown itself also looks a little roughly done, even for the 1750s.

Second, its proportions are odd. I've done a little digging and it seems most likely to be a 1756 Short Land Pattern, but the barrel's too short (39.75in), and more importantly, the bore's too small - .62-.65 (measuring roughly with a ruler), rather than the .79 or so I'd have expected. Even if the barrel has been, at some stage, cut down, it is still under-bored.

Thirdly, the proof marks. They're incredibly small (useful, that ), but I think I can make out a single "Viewed" mark - and two Black Powder proof marks. Of course, I may be wrong, and hopefully the photo provided is useful, but my first thought was that the barrel has been reproofed at some point in its life. However, if that is the case, one wonders what precisely led to its needing reproofing.

Anyway, herewith some piccies. Sorry if I'm asking stupid questions; I fully admit, and abhor, my ignorance. But I think a great man once said that, "To ask may be a moment's shame; not to ask, and to remain ignorant, is a lifetime's shame".

While waiting for these to upload, meanwhile, I took a look at the lock. The workmanship's a world away from that of my old jezail, and the lock is in very good condition - except that the sear's missing! And it's covered in a strange, greenish-yellow, sticky goo, which I assume was once oil or tallow of some kind...

[Matchlock]

I think nobody struggling for serious study can ask stupid questions; it's the answers that can be stupid.

This is a real riddle piece indeed. Though, as you noted, it looks much like a regular military musket at first sight, some details do not seem to match, e.g. the stylized flower engraving on the rear end of the barrel. Unfortunately, neither could I find a certain Corson (or Carson) Carr in any of my records, nor have I been able to identify the marks.

All we can do is hope to find someone here who has specialized in British and colonial American flintlock muskets.

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

A characteristic British flintlock mechanism, signed by Grice and dated 1762/9?.

You were absolutely right in pointing out the difference between the crown on your gun and on this lock bearing the typical initials GR, for George (or Georgius) Rex.

m