Brown Bess

[pargent]

167 is very correct and well documented , the other is total BS.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

It has been shown that the British powder of its day was a bit weak by comparison to that of today. 3 Drams of powder is quite sufficient, that's 80 grains of 2Fg.

Now whenever I have been involved in a musket competition, we were not allowed to "patch" as there is zero documenation of anybody patching a smoothbore in the 18th century (yes seems odd but I haven't found a reference yet - others more scholarly than I have not found one either), so that's as far as I know, and I looked rather hard.

So what we did was to use either .690 or .715 ball, and we made up paper cartridges by first taking a wooden dowel, and sanding its diameter down so that when the cartridges took 2 full wraps, they still went down the bore, though as close to the bore size as possible. THEN when we loaded with the cartridge, after pouring in the powder, we inverted the cartridge, placing the paper encased ball into the muzzle, and tearing off most of the reamining paper. So..., this was rammed down and in effect created a very consistent, paper "patched" ball, and we did try it vs cloth patching, and for our muskets it worked better. The cloth apparently doesn't always bunch up around the ball in a smooth bore in a symetrical pattern as it does in the grooves of a rifled barrel. The paper tubes though, were consistant.

LD

 

[Rifleman1776]

the handicaps of a Bess are 1) a hard trigger pull,

Unless you plan to particpate in reenactments with very strick rules about 'pc'/'hc' for the Bess, the sear can be stoned to give a better pull. In fact, your trigger pull may be way past the permissible range and could be adjusted and still pass muster.

 

[Bill Bizoff]

According to Mark Tully’s Packet IV, apothecaries measure was used at that time to measure gun powder. 12 oz. = 1 lb or 5760 gr. 32 cartridges to the pound would be 180 gr. 42 cartridges to the pound would be 137 gr. and 10 ”“ 15 gr. would be used to prime.
Bill

 

[spudnut]

It has been shown that the British powder of its day was a bit weak by comparison to that of today. 3 Drams of powder is quite sufficient, that's 80 grains of 2Fg.

Now whenever I have been involved in a musket competition, we were not allowed to "patch" as there is zero documenation of anybody patching a smoothbore in the 18th century (yes seems odd but I haven't found a reference yet - others more scholarly than I have not found one either), so that's as far as I know, and I looked rather hard.

So what we did was to use either .690 or .715 ball, and we made up paper cartridges by first taking a wooden dowel, and sanding its diameter down so that when the cartridges took 2 full wraps, they still went down the bore, though as close to the bore size as possible. THEN when we loaded with the cartridge, after pouring in the powder, we inverted the cartridge, placing the paper encased ball into the muzzle, and tearing off most of the reamining paper. So..., this was rammed down and in effect created a very consistent, paper "patched" ball, and we did try it vs cloth patching, and for our muskets it worked better. The cloth apparently doesn't always bunch up around the ball in a smooth bore in a symetrical pattern as it does in the grooves of a rifled barrel. The paper tubes though, were consistant.

LD

No one believes me when I tell them a patched ball in my musket doesn't work as well a paper cartridge Thanks

 

[spudnut]

According to Mark Tully’s Packet IV, apothecaries measure was used at that time to measure gun powder. 12 oz. = 1 lb or 5760 gr. 32 cartridges to the pound would be 180 gr. 42 cartridges to the pound would be 137 gr. and 10 ”“ 15 gr. would be used to prime.
Bill

This sounds a bit more reasonable

 

[pargent]

:thumbsup:

 

[pargent]

A very good friend and myself both own and compete with Pedersoli Besses his shoots better with a wad over powder then the ball , mine shoots better with a loose to firm patched ball .

 

[Many Klatch]

If you go to a most reenactments expect a range officer to ask you to prove that your gun is "Safe". This will entail putting the gun on halfcock and then using only the trigger to support the gun in the air. If it passes that test then you can participate. I have never seen anyone testing the trigger pull. You can reduce the trigger pull on your Bess to a reasonable amount with out any fear of being too light.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I have never seen anyone testing the trigger pull. You can reduce the trigger pull on your Bess to a reasonable amount with out any fear of being too light.

Neither have I. But I once was going to join a Rev. Reenactment organization and was told my trigger pull would be tested. That and several other 'cs' requirements made me decide to not join. I adjusted mine long ago and have been happy with it since. I'm sure the half-cock would pass the test you mentioned.

 

[tiger13]

It may be, but it is what it is. I didn't write it.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

That and several other 'cs' requirements ...

Pardon my ignorance, but what is a 'cs' requirement?

The other items you are normally required to have are a flash guard on your pan to prevent the jet from the touch hole from striking anyone to your right, and a hammer stall, which is a leather cover for your frizzen.

LD

 

[Grenadier1758]

I think "cs" refers to chicken waste. (?)

Most of these "other requirements are reasonable safety requirements. While the flashguard isn't historically correct, I personnaly like having a jet of hot gas directed away from my face. I also think having the leather hammer stall is a good practice.

Other parts of the safety inspection, such as "pinging" yhe barrel, halfcock safety check, and inspection of cartridges assures the participants and spectators that safety is a concern.

 

[BrownBear]

Authentic or not, the hammerstall would be an easy visual confirmation that lotsa guns were on "safe." Sounds like a historic concession to crowd control for a buncha guys that might only handle their guns once a month.

 

[Bill Bizoff]

There are several period references to hammer stalls. Here is one.
-77-
(August 28, 1762)
LIEUT. ALEXANDER 3AILLIE TO COL. HENRY BOUQUET
[3. 11., Add. MSS. 21648, f. 341, A. D. S.J
Return of the Weight of the Cloathing, Arms, Accoutrements,
Airjr.unition, Provision, Necessary's &C? of a S
upon a March.
Weight
Ibs.
A Regimental Coat, with Hooks, Eyes, frc?- - - - - 5.
Waistcoat ------------- 2.
Pair of Breeches ---------- 1.
Hat with 1
cockade, Button, Loop, & Hair Stringj 1.
A Shirt with Sleeve Buttons ----------- 1.
A Stock with a Buckle.
A Pair Knee Buckles.
A Pair Stocking & Garters,
A Pair Shoes vdth Buckles ------------ 1.
A Regimental Firelock, with a
Sling & Buckle f 11.
Hammer Cap & Stopper]
h. Waist Belt with a Buckle - - - -
H Hanger, Sword Knot, and Scabbcrd -------- 2.
A Bayonet and Scabbord -------------- l.
A Tomahawk, and Cover
Bill

 

[spudnut]

I have em all my muskets anyway I just like em