Original Item: Only One Available. Acquired recently from a large military show, this is a lovely third Pattern Brown Bess, with the 39" barrel adopted in 1796. Also known as the "India Pattern", it was the standard Musket of the line during 1815, the time of the Battle of Waterloo. This example also still retains the "bannister rail" butt stock, a feature that was basically done away with after 1807. The musket has a full 39 3/4" length, .75" smoothbore iron barrel, which is just a bit above regulation, but not out of the ordinary.

The lock plate is correctly marked with TOWER across the tail, however there is no "G.R" under the CROWN, so it may have been a private purchase or export example. There is a JRC inspector marking under the flash pan, which we are not familiar with. The lock has a ring neck cock, indicating post-1808 construction, one of many improvements made during the course of the Napoleonic wars. It is also equipped with the frizzen support bridle on the pan, and two screws behind the lock, both late 18th Century improvements to the design. The breech of the barrel bears the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC "proof" and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" marks from the English city of Birmingham on the top near the breech, which began to be used circa 1813 for Black Powder Arms. We can also see the letters RC between them, possibly related to the marking on the lock plate.

It has all regulation brass furniture, including three ramrod pipes, together an iron ramrod that looks to be a period replacement. Shows use but remains in amazingly tight and clean condition. Action is strong and holds at half cock, firing correctly at full cock. The lock is quite clean and in very good shape. The barrel does not show extensive wear from use and cleaning, and actually still retains much of the original "plum" browned finish that these were originally made with.

The stock has a lovely color, showing only light damage from wear and age. There are some cracks around the lock plate, which are very common, and there are the expected dents, dings, and small gouges that service weapons acquire when used. We do not see any major repairs or alterations, and it still retains the early style "swell" around the first ramrod pipe. The wood has a lovely color and polished glow that would look fantastic under any type of lighting. The carved surround for the barrel tang is still crisp. Both sling swivels are still present and move easily.

A lovely example of the Third Model Brown Bess, the standard musket of the line during the end of the Napoleonic Wars, including the Battle of Waterloo, where Napoleon met his final defeat. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: Circa 1812
Caliber: .75" Musket
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 39 3/4 inches
Overall Length: 55 3/8 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. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

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, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. 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. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.