Item Description
Original item: One of a Kind. From an old collection in England, this is a truly splendid example of the 1808 Second Model of the East India Company “WINDUS” Pattern Brown Bess. The "Windus" E.I.C. pattern was first introduced in 1771 with a revolutionary 39" barrel. The British E.I.C. retained a standing army much bigger than that of Great Britain and for years the E.I.C were way ahead on Arms development being a private entity. It was not until 1796 that Great Britain adopted the 39" version of the Brown Bess and named it "THE INDIA PATTERN" This was the musket that fought through the War of 1812 against the United States and through all the Napoleonic Wars, culminating with the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
The year 1808 is significant as it was in that year that the British East India Company introduced the "RAMPANT LION" logo found on all the lock mechanisms of their weapons produced thereafter. Gone was the EIC HEART Logo of old. In 1808 they also modified the construction of their line musket to do away with the "Comb" stock and also adopted simpler brass mounts.
Our example is in fact a smaller lightweight musket commonly referred to as a fusil, pronounced back then "fuzee". This musket is in .69" bore, the same ball size as an officer's pistol at the time. Otherwise it is identical to the .75 bore version. These were used so that officer's did not have to carry two different sizes of ammunition. It still retains the old style mounts and the "Comb" butt stock which dates this musket pretty decidedly to 1808.
The Barrel is marked on the left side with with the "Crown over Crossed Scepters" of Thomas Ketland of St Catherine St, Weaman Row Birmingham, who worked 1766 to 1810. This was later adopted as the mark of the Birmingham Proofhouse.
In wonderful condition and British made. The stock is in great shape, except for some wood missing near the nose cap on both sides and some old repairs which are very well done and totally sound. The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full. This musket comes with its English made socket bayonet, which has a British Proof as well as traces of the original maker name.
A real eye catcher, ready to display!
Specifications:
Years of Manufacture: c.1808
Caliber: .69" Musket
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 39 inches
Overall Length: 55 inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.
- This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.
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