Percussion musket. The walnut stock is fitted with three brass ramrod pipes, a brass butt plate, brass fore-end cap and a brass trigger guard. The weapon is also fitted with two iron sling loops. The lock is a percussion sidelock and the head of the hammer is relieved at the front. The iron barrel is of circular section with a small rear sight and a rectangular knob as a foresight. The calibre is 0.753 inches. '1865 London' is inscribed on the lockplate and the maker's mark, 'H Yeomans 35 East Smithfield London', is on the butt. It was usual for merchant ships at the time to carry some weapons and it may have been used for that purpose.