Brown Bess- Anyone Out there who can provide some insight?

[Toofer1Special]

London commercial proofs the gun looks fine to me. Don't even think of dumping it . Which ever Barker it might be its right even if the founder of a firm is long dead The firm still produced arms under that name so you cant rule out Mathias Barker & its not cheap junk or any bi centenial Japonees offering. .Yes might not be a Govt Musket but its still a good musket.by the looks of it .
Rudyard

I was being a little facetious about dumping it. Would never dump this cool piece of history. I'm planning on making a nice display case for it soon.

 

[Toofer1Special]

Military and civilian barrels were about the same in thickness, thin by today's standards. The butt markings are indeed indicitive of British service, but not necessarily as we see the gun now. It's very short compared to the regulation 46-42 inch barrel besses, but officers and senior NCOs might have shorter arms. Alternately it could be a recycled military arm either cut down and reduced, or a militia cobble job, American made from used parts as mentioned above. Hard to tell, but in it's current state it's would most likely denote either private purchase or militia arsenal inventory. Neat piece.

Interesting! I have another flintlock that is being repaired after USPS cracked the stock...but that one felt heavier than this Barker and I believe the barrel was a little longer. Had more of the traditional Brown Bess distinctions that Dave mentioned like the trigger guard, side plate, barrel length but still no crown or "Tower" written on the lock plate. I'll try to upload some pictures of it soon

 

[Toofer1Special]

Even if it WAS a "cheap private purchase" fusil, it's a fine, historical, collectible rarity today. Anyone would love to own it.

Thank you! It's one of my favorites of all the unusual oddity firearms I have.

 

[Rudyard]

india pattern barrel length but with 4 pipes like a long and short land. odd??

For a Commerceal its not odd, ' The customer is allway's right' even if he,s a dill. Or an FME.
Rudyard

 

[Rudyard]

That's a cheap private purchase fusil.

I wouldnt say it was a' Fusil', dosn't look cheap. Nor do I believe todays barrels are any thicker or stronger..But what do I know about tricorn hats . Rudyard

That's a cheap private purchase fusil.

 

[user 34486]

Why's that?

 

[springfield art]

Is that a group on this website or are they on a different website?

Thank you!

I believe I've seen them on Facebook. Try clicking in Brown Bess Collectors & Shooters group and see if it doesn't come up. I didn't join them yet, but I bet you can find them that way. Thanks. good luck.

 

[springfield art]

I wouldnt say it was a' Fusil', dosn't look cheap. Nor do I believe todays barrels are any thicker or stronger..But what do I know about tricorn hats . Rudyard

I've gotta think today's steels are more pure and engineered, stronger than the old stuff; less impurities, etc.

 

[Byron A Rudrow]

If you are interested in learning more about the Brown Bess, I would recommend this book. Full of great pictures and more good information than my brain can absorb.

The Brown Bess; An Identification Guide and Illustrated Study of Britain's Most Famous Musket
by Erik Goldstein (Author), Stuart Mowbray (Author)