Im sure this is a repo? Brown bess

[Md80runway23]

I'm sure this is a repo brown less but wanted opinions on exactly what it is and who made it? Thanks

 

[Md80runway23]

Nobody?

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
It is a Pedersoli repro that someone engraved to change the date on the lock and some other embellishments. It was shortened probably to create some sort of fantasy French and Indian war carbine. The guy got a lot wrong unfortunately. He changed the "6" in 1762 to a "4" for 1742 to make the lock seem to be from the French and Indian war. Grice was not a contractor then. The earliest date for him of which I am aware is 1756. There are a lot of other things that are not quite right but those errors are typical of Pedersoli repros.

dave

 

[Jaegermeister]

It sure has an awesome look. Looks very authentic to “less informed” folks like me.

 

[dave_person]

It sure has an awesome look. Looks very authentic to “less informed” folks like me.

Hi Jaegermeister,
Here are the details.
1. The lock is marked incorrectly for any Brown Bess ever made
2. Note the pin showing for the forward tab of the trigger guard. On real Besses that pin is hidden within the lock mortise.
3. The carved apron around the barrel tang is shaped wrong but typical of early Pedersolis..
4. The abrupt step in the stock at the breech on the side plate side is shaped wrong and typical of Pedersolis.
5. There is no cross pin through the comb holding down the extension of the butt plate because there is no lug for it on Pedersoli butt plates.
6. The sling swivels are the wrong shape.
7. The flats around the lock are much too wide but typical of Pedersolis
8. Any Bess lock dated 1742 would have the curved banana shape and not look like the later pattern 1756 lock, which this one does.
9. No Bess marked 1742 would have a flat side plate.

Like I wrote previously, somebody modified a Pedersoli Bess to be some sort of carbine used in the French and Indian war. The guy might have been trying to make some sort of "Roger's Rangers" sort of thing.

dave

 

[Md80runway23]

Thanks guys

 

[Jaegermeister]

Thanks, Dave. You are absolutely very knowledgeable but those are some inaccuracies that I would never really notice. Reminds me of the show Pawn Stars when they bring in an expert and someone finds out they have a fake. Love it.
Still looks like an awesome muzzleloader though. Maybe it would pass the 10’ rule.

 

[Grenadier1758]

@jagermeister, to most that Bess would pass the 10' rule. Most would not see the engraving on the side plate. Most units would try to overlook the patina on the metal as opposed to a white metal finish. It will probably be a nicely functioning smooth bored musket and could fit in with some Range companies. None the less, it will be a fun gun to shoot.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Whoever modified it looked like he did a good job with the lock and thumb piece engraving. The piece as a whole looks nicely done IMHO. The sideplate gets me, though. I never saw one with a serpent image engraved into it.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Serpents are common on side plates of trade guns. The engraving would have been done by the manufacturer. Natives did not want a heavy land pattern musket even with a shortened barrel.

So this gun doesn't meet the criteria for a musket issued to regular or militia troops. Has some features of a trade gun, but many other features that put it into the fantasy school. It will be fun to shoot.

 

[Md80runway23]

Thanks guys!