Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely Third Pattern Brown Bess with the 39" barrel adopted in 1796, which has a lovely patina of age from long service.. 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, as well as the swell to the stock around the lower ramrod pipe. The musket has a full 39" regulation length, .75" smoothbore iron barrel, which still retains two faint CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS markings, for Pre-1813 inspection at the Ordnance Proof house on Tower Wharf close to the Tower of London. This mark was usually used on "private" arms, not military issued examples, so this example may have been intended for militia or private use. There is a CROWN / 4 marking between the scepters, as well as a faint DB on the left side of the breech.

The lock plate is correctly marked with CROWN over G.R. mid lock for King George III, and TOWER across the tail. There is also what looks to be B over B&S under the pan, which we assume is an inspection marking from private service. The lock has a swan neck cock, indicating pre-1808 construction, so this is a rifle that was in service during the Napoleonic wars. It has all regulation brass furniture, together with correct issue iron ramrod. Shows use but remains in amazingly tight and clean condition. The lock action is strong, however it will fire at both full and half cock due to wear to the tumbler. We also noted the lock shows a good amount of powder burn near the flash pan, and the frizzen has actually been worn down and had additional material attached to it due to wear. The barrel has a lovely oxidized brown patina of age, showing wear from powder burn near the touch hole, as well as overall wear that has made the original markings faint.

The stock has a lovely color, showing the grain of the English walnut beautifully. There is some staining around the cross pins and barrel from oxidation, which is fairly standard on these old guns. There is an old crack on the left side woodline, and also one running from the lower lock screw to the breech, which is very common. We did note some wood graft repairs around the lock plate, including a small one on the bottom front, and another where the wood on a 4 inch section to the right of the barrel tang has been replaced. Most likely the stock was heavily eroded due to powder burn, and the wood was replaced. This was an expert level repair, and the carved surround for the barrel tang is still crisp, in spite of a large amount of it being replaced on the right. Both sling swivels are present and move easily. There is a V 2 stamping on the left side above the trigger guard, and the right side of the butt stock has a BROAD ARROW over what looks to be WOA, a marking we have been told indicates government ownership.

A lovely example of the Third Model Brown Bess, a worthy addition to any British antique firearms collection! Ready to display!

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: Circa 1800
Caliber: .75" Musket
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 39 inches
Overall Length: 54 3/4 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.