Early Marked Musket Butt Plate with English Broad Arrow

[Palmetto]

Hey everyone-been a while since I posted-been checking in regularly however.
A week or so ago, headed to lowcountry for a quick two day dig-mosquitos are absolutely horrible and mornings were best time to get in the woods. Did fairly well with typical flat buttons, etc. Managed a beautiful 1775 half reale, toasty KG,1842 large cent, two Livery buttons with Phoenix design (coat and cuff found about 50 feet apart) and what I knew to be a musket butt plate almost on top of ground. Threw it in the pouch and did not think much of it.
When I got home, decided to clean it as I like gun parts. Lo and behold, a beautiful engraving appeared. It has the British Broad arrow with a number 1 under -I am assuming it is inspection mark and above is the Date 1715. The area I was in was in the heart of the Yemassee Wars which was from 1715 -1717. Bloody time period (look it up) and I can only assume that musket was engraved with that date to commemorate or stamp the owners involvement in that war.
Any comments or thoughts are appreciated. Would love to hear about he Broad Arrow use from some of our British friends.

 

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[Brendan75]

Hi, nice finds. Congrats

 

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[Professor of Engineering]

Great bunch of relics and coins, congrats!

 

[Inspector]

Excellent hunt, really cool butt plate, nice looking reale and buttons, congratulations on the saves

 

[SC Keith]

Wow! Congrats Russ on these nice digs! The 1715 piece is incredible being that early and used in the Yamassee war as you said. Phoenix buttons are cool as well as the nice reale.
If only the Brit piece could talk...the stories.
Keith

 

[Carolina Tom]

Excellent set of finds. Congrats on the butt plate.

 

[basque-man]

That butt place is great!!!!! As were the other finds as well!!!

 

[Palmetto]

I know the broad arrow meant that it was exclusive property of the crown, so it's not like a civilian just put it on their because they liked the look. That probably belonged to an actual soldier, rather than a militiaman or private citizen. I've heard that there are still live white pine out in the deep wilderness that bear the English broad arrow.

Thanks. doing the research has definitely uncovered some great facts regarding this British Govt mark. I think you are right that these were issued to soldiers that were employed by the crown-not just basic, citizen militia.