Displaying Brown Bess

[krasnayaznamya]

Sorry for the rather off-topic/fringe topic query, but I figured this
list would have some good info:

I'm looking to find a way to hang my 2nd model brown bess musket on the wall in a display
fashion that allows for the cartridge box and bayonet/scabbard to be
displayed with it (we just got a new house and I've been cleared to
have a "man's room", so I can finally do this). Does anyone have any
pics of what they've done in this area that would help me?

Appreciate it!

 

[trent/OH]

First thing that comes to my mind is the display at the museum at Fort Niagara which is sort of a wooden 2 dimensional cutout of a British soldier, upon which a bunch of artifacts are mounted (like buttons, bayonet, musket).
My second thought would be to get a manniquen and make a small diorama. DON'T make him staring out a window with a firearm though. Any policeman walking around the house might get the wrong idea (personal experience of an acquaintance).

 

[CrackStock]

I made a pair of wooden bracks that I attached to a wall which supports a shelf which was screwed across the top. One bracket had a hole for the muzzle to go though and the other has a hook to support the trigger guard of a long gun. The shelf has some pegs for hanging items such as a horn, bayonet carriage and a cartridge box. I put other items on the shelf such as a back pack, canteen, cup, plate and helmet.

It all cost only a few dollars worth of wood, a few hours of thought and a few hours of work. It sure beat having all of my equipment piled in a box or tossed into a corner. (This was how I got the wife to not only agree to this, but to be enthusiastic about it! :winking: )

CS

 

[krasnayaznamya]

Sounds great! Do you have any pics of the finished product?

 

[CrackStock]

My camera is missing in action and you can come up with a design that suits you.

You need 2 upright support boards to act as the supports with a flat on top of each to place a 1X8 or 1X10 shelf across. I used counter sunk screws to secure the shelf to the upright supports.

The uprights are screwed in the same manner to a decorative board that goes against the wall and has a keyhole cut that will allow you to put it over a screw head and then it will slide down into place to hold it on the wall.

I drilled a hole in the right side upright for the muzzle and cut a notch for the left one to hold the lock of a musket. This puts your gun in a lock side display.

I hope that I have not confused you with all of this.

CS