I have a Bess that was made in Japan I think. The lock is marked Tower, does anyone have any thoughts on these.
-
Friends, our 2nd Amendment rights are always under attack and the NRA has been a constant for decades in helping fight that fight.
We have partnered with the NRA to offer you a discount on membership and Muzzleloading Forum gets a small percentage too of each membership, so you are supporting both the NRA and us.
Use this link to sign up please; https://membership.nra.org/recruiters/join/XR045103
Japan made Bess
- Thread starter rusty
- Start date
Help Support Muzzleloading Forum:
Yes.
Steve44thRgt
32 Cal.
- Joined
- May 29, 2004
- Messages
- 17
- Reaction score
- 0
Hi Rusty!
My `India pattern` BrownBess is also stamped with the Tower mark. Over here in England we have our Bess stocks made in India to the origional `India pattern`. The musket is shipped back to England and tested at the ordnance centre in Birmingham. The barrel will then be stamped with the crown `proof mark`.
The actual `Tower` stamp is just behind the cock on the lockplate. I also have a `Long land pattern` Bess which has `Stowe 1775` instead of Tower. As there were government armouries at the Tower of London, Stowe and other towns around the country, I reckon this is why yours is a copy of the type stored at the Tower of London.
Looks like your Bess got herself lost somewhere because she is a long way from home! Do you have a serial number stamped on the musket butt? I know the guy who imports India pattern Bess muskets for the English market and I may be able to dig out some history of who owned her before you (if it is indeed one of his!).
My `India pattern` BrownBess is also stamped with the Tower mark. Over here in England we have our Bess stocks made in India to the origional `India pattern`. The musket is shipped back to England and tested at the ordnance centre in Birmingham. The barrel will then be stamped with the crown `proof mark`.
The actual `Tower` stamp is just behind the cock on the lockplate. I also have a `Long land pattern` Bess which has `Stowe 1775` instead of Tower. As there were government armouries at the Tower of London, Stowe and other towns around the country, I reckon this is why yours is a copy of the type stored at the Tower of London.
Looks like your Bess got herself lost somewhere because she is a long way from home! Do you have a serial number stamped on the musket butt? I know the guy who imports India pattern Bess muskets for the English market and I may be able to dig out some history of who owned her before you (if it is indeed one of his!).
