Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original British Revolutionary War era Short Land Pattern “Brown Bess” flintlock musket assembled at Dublin Castle and regimentally marked to the 46th Regiment of Foot. It retains its full length 42" .75 caliber smoothbore barrel, early pattern lock features, four ramrod pipes, iron ramrod, brass furniture, sling swivels, and an included socket bayonet that fits the muzzle correctly.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. It is sold as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or evaluated by a professional gunsmith. The mechanical and bore observations below describe only its present condition and do not establish that it is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The Short Land Pattern was the principal British infantry musket during much of the American Revolutionary War period. Its 42" barrel, four ramrod pipes, brass furniture, and full stocked configuration distinguish it from the later India Pattern, which used a shorter barrel and three ramrod pipes.

This musket has a regulation length 42" iron barrel with an approximate .75" smoothbore. Overall length is approximately 57 3/4".

The breech retains several British government proof and inspection markings, including:

CROWN / GR

CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS

An additional crossed scepters marking is present on the breech plug. The right side of the breech also bears:

CROWN / 6

along with a marking resembling:

STAR / W

The precise meaning of the "STAR / W" marking has not been confirmed. The barrel proofs may indicate that the barrel or some of its components originated through the broader British Ordnance supply system before final assembly or inspection at Dublin Castle.

The top of the barrel is faintly regimentally marked:

46 REG't

This marking is consistent with issue to the 46th Regiment of Foot. The regiment served in North America during the American War of Independence and participated in several major campaigns. However, no individual issue record or documented provenance accompanies this musket, so its use in any particular engagement cannot be confirmed.

The lock plate is marked at its center beneath the pan:

CROWN / G.R.

This royal cypher represents King George III. The tail of the lock is marked:

DUBLIN
CASTLE

These markings identify the lock and assembly with the British government arms establishment at Dublin Castle in Ireland.

A broad arrow style government marking is visible beneath the forward end of the frizzen spring. It may represent an inspection or ownership mark, though its exact application has not been confirmed.

The lock retains several early features, including a curved lock plate profile, swan neck cock, and a single internal screw position behind the cock associated with the earlier sear arrangement. These characteristics are consistent with Revolutionary War era production, although we are unable to assign the musket to an exact Short Land Pattern variation or precise year of manufacture from the supplied observations alone.

The flintlock action remains strong and mechanically functional. It holds at half cock and releases from full cock when the trigger is pulled, though the trigger pull is notably heavy. This describes only the present mechanical operation and is not a statement that the musket is safe to fire.

The walnut stock retains the characteristic raised or “bannister rail” form through the wrist and comb. It also has the expected swell in the fore stock immediately behind the forward ramrod pipe.

The stock remains substantially complete but shows several cracks associated with age and service. Cracking and splitting through the fore stock have been repaired previously. Some curl is visible in the grain in this area, which adds visual character but may also make the wood more vulnerable to future splitting.

An additional crack extends from the lower lock screw toward the breech, a commonly encountered stress location on muskets of this pattern. These repaired and unrepaired areas should be handled carefully.

The musket retains the correct four brass ramrod pipes and brass furniture. Both sling swivels remain present, and the original style iron ramrod is included.

The included socket bayonet has developed a mature gray and brown patina with scattered peppering. The blade retains the remains of a crown inspection or proof marking and a partial maker name ending in:

LEY

The complete maker marking is no longer legible. The bayonet fits the muzzle correctly, though no matching number or documentation is present to confirm that it was originally issued with this specific musket.

The 46th Regiment of Foot served in North America during both the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War. During the latter conflict, the regiment participated in major operations including Long Island, Fort Washington, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and actions in the West Indies. Its association with the red feather distinction arose from the regiment’s service during the Philadelphia Campaign.

With its Dublin Castle marked early lock, full length 42" barrel, faint 46th Regiment marking, Revolutionary War era Short Land Pattern configuration, original style iron ramrod, complete brass furniture, and fitted socket bayonet, this is an especially compelling British military flintlock musket. The stock cracks and repairs, heavy trigger pull, worn and unidentified markings, uncertain precise pattern variation, and lack of documented individual service history are fully disclosed. It would form an impressive centerpiece in a British military arms, American Revolutionary War, Dublin Castle, 46th Regiment of Foot, Brown Bess, or advanced flintlock collection.

Specifications (Musket):
Approximate Date of Manufacture: Revolutionary War Era
Caliber: .75" Smoothbore
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball and Black Powder
Barrel Length: 42"
Overall Length: 57 3/4"
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

Specifications (Bayonet):
Blade Length: 15 3/4"
Blade Style: Triangular
Socket Length: 4"
Overall Length: 20 3/4"

"Brown Bess" is a nickname of uncertain origin for the British Army's muzzle-loading smoothbore flintlock Land Pattern Musket and its derivatives. The musket design remained in use for over a hundred years with many incremental changes in its design. These versions include the Long Land Pattern, the Short Land Pattern, the India Pattern, the New Land Pattern Musket, and the Sea Service Musket.

The Long Land Pattern musket and its derivatives, all 0.75 inches caliber flintlock muskets, were the standard long guns of the British Empire's land forces from 1722 until 1838, when they were superseded by a percussion cap smoothbore musket. The British Ordnance System converted many flintlocks into the new percussion system known as the Pattern 1839 Musket. A fire in 1841 at the Tower of London destroyed many muskets before they could be converted. Still, the Brown Bess saw service until the middle of the nineteenth century.

Most male citizens of the thirteen colonies of British America were required by law to own arms and ammunition for militia duty. The Long Land Pattern was a common firearm in use by both sides in the American War of Independence.

In 1808 during the Napoleonic Wars, the United Kingdom subsidized Sweden (during the period when Finland was under Swedish rule) in various ways as the British government anxiously wanted to keep an ally in the Baltic Sea region. These included deliveries of significant numbers of Brown Bess-muskets for use in the Finnish War of 1808 to 1809.

During the Musket Wars (1820s–30s), Māori warriors used Brown Besses purchased from European traders at the time. Some muskets were sold to the Mexican Army, which used them during the Texas Revolution of 1836 and the Mexican–American War of 1846 to 1848. Brown Besses saw service in the First Opium War and during the Indian rebellion of 1857. Zulu warriors, who had also purchased them from European traders, used them during the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. One was even used in the Battle of Shiloh in 1862, during the American Civil War.

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 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.