A RARE .750 FLINTLOCK MUSKET SIGNED WOOD, MODEL 1744 SHORT LAND-PATTERN FOR DRAGOONS, no visible

A RARE .750 FLINTLOCK MUSKET SIGNED WOOD, MODEL '1744 SHORT LAND-PATTERN FOR DRAGOONS', no visible serial number, dated for 1750, with round iron 41in. barrel (possibly slightly shortened), block fore-sight, moulded band at breech and file-cut sighting notch to top-tang, early form borderline engraved radiused 'banana' lock with pointed tail signed 'WOOD 1750', bridleless frizzen, 'G.R.' crown device below pan, walnut handrail full-stock with carved apron around the top-tang, brass furniture including shaped escutcheon to wrist (lower tang cracked at first screw), semi-inlet radiused serpentine sideplate, bulbous fore-end at ramrod throat and replacement ramrod (some shallow pitting and light bruising to ironwork, losses in antiquity to fore-end edges).