FOR SALE Original British Crown/VR Marked Brown Bess Musket 1837-1839

[keithgill]

RARE - British VR Marked Brown Bess Musket 1837-1839


This musket is essentially the 1793 India Pattern, updated in 1809 with a stronger, reinforced cock, deeper shaped frizzen pan, and a different pattern trigger; but built between 1837-1839 during the Queen Victoria era. This is an original flintlock "TOWER" and "(crown)/VR" marked musket. The gun remains in largely original condition. The lock functions flawlessly giving a strong spark. The upper jaw of the cock is broken. It will work but not for extended use. Otherwise it displays well. There are worn but discernible military proofs on the left side of the breech and a small arrow in circle stamp on the top just ahead of the tang. The right side of the butt stock has a crisp "(Broad Arrow)/BO" Board of Ordnance stamp. No sling swivels remain. There are two wooden plugs in the bottom of the butt stock, likely a repair of some kind. The comb of the butt stock has been reduced and reshaped and is evident in the reworked brass butt plate which has been cut down to match the new profile. Some wood filler is present at the butt plate as an attempt to make some repair. I am leaving it in place for the new owner to determine what to do next. Bore measures .75 caliber, with a 39 1/4" barrel. However I have located some that are noted as .77 caliber.

These muskets were only made for about a year or so as Queen Victoria assumed the throne in 1837 and the switchover to percussion began in 1839. In fact, most of the VR marked Brown Besses were destroyed in a fire at the Tower of London in 1841 but a few pockets of survivors escaped the blaze, most notably a large stock sent to Newfoundland. These are a scarce musket in any condition and this example is in good condition overall.

$1850.00

 

[keithgill]

 

[keithgill]

 

[keithgill]

Is this of interest to anyone?

 

[RaiderANV]

You might be better off trying to sell it on the N-SSA site. This is right up there alley.

https://www.n-ssa.net/vbforum/forumdisplay.php/7-Wanted-For-Sale-Items

 

[OldSmoky1967]

RARE - British VR Marked Brown Bess Musket 1837-1839


This musket is essentially the 1793 India Pattern, updated in 1809 with a stronger, reinforced cock, deeper shaped frizzen pan, and a different pattern trigger; but built between 1837-1839 during the Queen Victoria era. This is an original flintlock "TOWER" and "(crown)/VR" marked musket. The gun remains in largely original condition. The lock functions flawlessly giving a strong spark. The upper jaw of the cock is broken. It will work but not for extended use. Otherwise it displays well. There are worn but discernible military proofs on the left side of the breech and a small arrow in circle stamp on the top just ahead of the tang. The right side of the butt stock has a crisp "(Broad Arrow)/BO" Board of Ordnance stamp. No sling swivels remain. There are two wooden plugs in the bottom of the butt stock, likely a repair of some kind. The comb of the butt stock has been reduced and reshaped and is evident in the reworked brass butt plate which has been cut down to match the new profile. Some wood filler is present at the butt plate as an attempt to make some repair. I am leaving it in place for the new owner to determine what to do next. Bore measures .75 caliber, with a 39 1/4" barrel. However I have located some that are noted as .77 caliber.

These muskets were only made for about a year or so as Queen Victoria assumed the throne in 1837 and the switchover to percussion began in 1839. In fact, most of the VR marked Brown Besses were destroyed in a fire at the Tower of London in 1841 but a few pockets of survivors escaped the blaze, most notably a large stock sent to Newfoundland. These are a scarce musket in any condition and this example is in good condition overall.

$1850.00

That is a very nice example of a late model Bess. Mine is very similar, also not a Revolutionary War model, with the same rounded lock, vs. banana shaped lock and stock profile. Also, these later Besses had simpler brass furniture. Mine dates from the Regent years after Geo.3rd. went insane, before Victoria, so it has the Crown, but no G3rd stamp beneath, as a Regent was not a king. I am attaching a picture to confirm what you already know, just a slightly different example. Yours is an amazing find and would have seen use in the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812, just like mine. I bought mine at auction in England. Thanks for sharing.