Pattern 1776 “Contract” Rifle

British Pattern 1776 Contract Rifle, 1:72 Miniatures.

The Pattern 1776 “Contract” Rifle, also known as “Tower Rifle”, was the first standard-issue service rifle of the British Army. Originally procured from Hanoverian Gunsmith A. Huhnstock, a favourite of George III, King of Great Britain and Ireland, Elector/King of Hanover, Pattern 1776 rifles were eventually produced by Gunsmiths in Birmingham. In January 1776, the British Army ordered 1,000 Pattern 1776 Rifles, which were issued five each to a troop of light dragoons or company of light infantry, including Loyalist Provincials, serving in North America1.

The rifles of Prussian Jäger by HäT Industrie and British Rifles by Revell are 16 mm and 15 mm long, respectively; they are noticeably shorter than the 18 mm Tower Rifle in 1:72 scale. For the time being, the Pattern 1776 “Contract” Rifle will have to be scratch-built by shortening a musket.

Technical Specifications

  • Pattern 1776 Rifle
  • Type: muzzle-loading Flintlock Rifle with octagonal Barrel
  • Overall Length: 1320 mm (Object XII.94, made by William Grice)
  • Barrel Length: 30.5 (775 mm) to 36.81 inches (935 mm, XII.94)
  • Calibre: 0.59 to .62 inches
  • In Service: 1776–1783

Museum Exhibits

Small Arms


1. MacNiven, Robbie: British Light Infantry in the American Revolution, p. 21