"Brown Bess" Question

[smoothbore69]

I have recently acquired a Pedersoli "Brown Bess" Short Land Pattern musket kit. It is one of the older repros with the "Stowe 1776" marked lockplate. When assembling this kit, I plan to go ahead and do "defarb" work, part of which would be to remove the Stowe markings and re-engrave with a more authentic marking. Before I do this, I wanted to know if any of you know if the Besses with Stowe marked plates were a limited production. Any information would be appreciated.

Chris Quattlebaum

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

Yes Chris, the Stowe marked Short Land reproductions were a limited production and are hard to find. Some will pay extra for one and, with the way collectors are, who knows what it will be worth in the future? Why do you want to "defarb" it, are you a reenactor?

 

[wallgunner]

I can understand defarbing, but this one I'd leave alone. They are harder to find. Put it together as is, sell it, and buy another to defarb. You might even be able to sell it as a kit to someone on the list. :thumbsup:

 

[smoothbore69]

I appreciate both replies. Yes- I am a reenactor, so that is the reason for wanting to change the markings. Since this was a limited run, I do hate to obliterate the Stowe markings. I am just going to put it up for sale on the board and see what happens. If I can sell, I'll just get another kit with the "Grice" markings. We know those are not rare.

Thank you again,

Chris

 

[smoothbore69]

I have posted the kit for sale or trade on the forum. I would hate to ruin the markings on this musket. Maybe I can find someone who would buy this one and keep it that way, or trade for a musket that I can alter (with a clear conscience).

Thanks again!

Chris

 

[poordevil]

Is the Stowe 1776 marking FARB?

 

[smoothbore69]

Yes- the Stowe marking is not correct. In 1764, makers marks were no longer engraved on the lock plates. Most were marked "Tower" and some have the Dublin markings. The "Grice" markings that Pedersolis have currently and have had for years are also incorrect for Short Land Pattern muskets.

Chris Quattlebaum

 

[JV Puleo]

The late Gerald Stowe was the curator of the West Point Museum. Around the bicentennial he arranged the production of those guns for his re-enactor friends. They were marked with his name for the specific purpose of being easily and readily recognized so that unsuspecting novice collectors would not be taken advantage of.

 

[AlanBroerse]

JV you are correct on the history of the stowe lock....Mr Stowe was the curator at the West Point museum....Just prior to 1976 Val Forgett who owned navy arms had the Pedersoli gang cast the lock from an original and had STOWE cast into the plate for his friend, and 1776 for the upcoming bicent.celebration....I built a long land from scratch and liked the lock so I am shooting mine....the lock itself will bring upwards of $250-$300 by itself....I got the into from Val Jr. in 2008....they are highley sought by collectors....I would not deface it...use a Grice at half the price. thats me....