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New addition to my smoothie arsenal

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Joined
May 9, 2021
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Location
Price, Maryland
The other day I was shooting on my farm with my friend and his father had come over to do a little shooting himself. I was after his 12 gauge Fusil de Chasse when he turned me onto something else he had for sale. He had in his possession a carbine Brown Bess with "Tower" marked on its lock. This weapon I know for sure is a reproduction but I haven't a clue to its manufacturer. I got it for $150 and a .735 RB with .010 patch was tight and hit just high of bullseye first shot. I have since started using .730 with a .010 patch and it is very accurate. Would this be a Japanese Bess ? I have seen people talking of these on the forum. It was sold to me with a triangle bayonet and a leather bayonet sheath. I will attach a photo of it.
 

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The other day I was shooting on my farm with my friend and his father had come over to do a little shooting himself. I was after his 12 gauge Fusil de Chasse when he turned me onto something else he had for sale. He had in his possession a carbine Brown Bess with "Tower" marked on its lock. This weapon I know for sure is a reproduction but I haven't a clue to its manufacturer. I got it for $150 and a .735 RB with .010 patch was tight and hit just high of bullseye first shot. I have since started using .730 with a .010 patch and it is very accurate. Would this be a Japanese Bess ? I have seen people talking of these on the forum. It was sold to me with a triangle bayonet and a leather bayonet sheath. I will attach a photo of it.
For that price...you stole it...congrats! Many fun days to you shooting it :thumb:.
 
The other day I was shooting on my farm with my friend and his father had come over to do a little shooting himself. I was after his 12 gauge Fusil de Chasse when he turned me onto something else he had for sale. He had in his possession a carbine Brown Bess with "Tower" marked on its lock. This weapon I know for sure is a reproduction but I haven't a clue to its manufacturer. I got it for $150 and a .735 RB with .010 patch was tight and hit just high of bullseye first shot. I have since started using .730 with a .010 patch and it is very accurate. Would this be a Japanese Bess ? I have seen people talking of these on the forum. It was sold to me with a triangle bayonet and a leather bayonet sheath. I will attach a photo of it.
After a closer look, you just may be right. The reason I say that is, the hardware quality. Still a good buy. Hopefully shoots great.
 
I agree with Sam. Looks like an Indian gun. They often don't exhibit the most precise workmanship and they can have issues that need to be addressed to get them running up to snuff, but I consider them well worth the asking price (about $600 new for a carbine like that), so for $150 it looks like you got a screaming deal. Congrats. 👍
 
Nice! One of those carbines is on my short list, but I'm unsure about the recoil from such a heavy ball. How much powder were you using, and how would you rate the recoil?
 
Nice! One of those carbines is on my short list, but I'm unsure about the recoil from such a heavy ball. How much powder were you using, and how would you rate the recoil?
I was using a .735 round ball with a .010 patch and 120g of FF powder. I didn't see where there was any heavy recoil. It was really no different then if you were to shoot a Pedersoli or any Longer Brown Bess.
 
I was using a .735 round ball with a .010 patch and 120g of FF powder. I didn't see where there was any heavy recoil. It was really no different then if you were to shoot a Pedersoli or any Longer Brown Bess.
That’s a good hefty load. Some will chime in warning that the Indian barrels are subpar. Your 120gr load is a decent proof load to prove that wrong. I have a Pedersoli Bess carbine and find that 90gr of 2F with a round ball is adequate for my needs. Try some shotgun loads in your Bess. You’ll be surprised how well it shoots!
 
That’s a good hefty load. Some will chime in warning that the Indian barrels are subpar. Your 120gr load is a decent proof load to prove that wrong. I have a Pedersoli Bess carbine and find that 90gr of 2F with a round ball is adequate for my needs. Try some shotgun loads in your Bess. You’ll be surprised how well it shoots!
Yea I have loaded some stout shot loads, yesterday for the hell of it I loaded 120g FF with and over powder wad and card, then 3oz No.4 Shot and and over shot card. It digested it and blew it out fine. I loaded it 5 more times like that.
 
The other day I was shooting on my farm with my friend and his father had come over to do a little shooting himself. I was after his 12 gauge Fusil de Chasse when he turned me onto something else he had for sale. He had in his possession a carbine Brown Bess with "Tower" marked on its lock. This weapon I know for sure is a reproduction but I haven't a clue to its manufacturer. I got it for $150 and a .735 RB with .010 patch was tight and hit just high of bullseye first shot. I have since started using .730 with a .010 patch and it is very accurate. Would this be a Japanese Bess ? I have seen people talking of these on the forum. It was sold to me with a triangle bayonet and a leather bayonet sheath. I will attach a photo of it.
There will be markings on it somewhere, usually the barrel with origin of mfg. Let us know. Nice!
 
There are only George Regina Proof marks on the barrel all repro ofc. There is no marking to say where it was made.

Please don't take this as being too critical, but that's a somewhat common mistake on our side of the pond. GR stands for George Rex, the Rex meaning "King."

On the other hand, ER stands for Elizabeth Regina and the Regina means "Queen."

Gus
 
Yea I have loaded some stout shot loads, yesterday for the hell of it I loaded 120g FF with and over powder wad and card, then 3oz No.4 Shot and and over shot card. It digested it and blew it out fine. I loaded it 5 more times like that.
A man of my own heart ✌
They are greedy girls but come alive when fed correctly .
 
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