Item Description
Original Item: One of a Kind. This is undoubtedly the very best intact example of the Gurkha constructed Brown Bess Musket assembled at NAKKU outside Kathmandu. We imported large numbers of these that were recovered from the Palace of Lagan Silekhana, which functioned as the Royal Armory of Nepal. Unfortunately they were long neglected, and in unrestorable condition. However, this example was from the Arms display in the Officer's Mess at TUMU Barracks, and escaped that fate.
The Gurkha Armies invaded British India in 1813 occupying large areas of territory. It turned out these these Native soldiers were so well trained that that after several "bloody noses" the British had to invade Nepal itself before peace could be agreed at the Treaty of Seguly in 1816. Thereafter Nepal fell under "BRITISH INFLUENCE" and supplied Gurkha Soldiers for the British Army which they are still doing to this day!
Britain poured in Aid of all forms after 1816 including staffing Arms Factories with Gunsmith to teach the Gurkha gun makers how to build British weapons. The first were the Brown Bess Muskets of the Third Model, with 39" barrel as used by the British East India Company since 1771 known as the WINDUS or India Pattern. Britain itself adopted this shorter 39" barrel Brown Bess third model in 1796.
Great quantities of British made E.I.C. locks were supplied to Nepal and these were mostly SANITIZED with the removal of the CROWN over G.R. British markings and replaced by a Buddist Temple that was located right next to the old Palace where most of the 55,000 guns we purchased were stored at Lagan Silekhana. Sadly the 2015 Kathmandu Earthquake leveled most of the palace, so now it can only be visited by pictures and videos, as documented in our "Treasure is Where You Find It" documentary.
This magnificent example, easily the best we ever had, and we did get over 1800 units in all sorts of conditions, was itself removed from the Officer's Mess display. The barrel has the pair of bare foot prints proof mark for NAKKU, and the socket bayonet, itself bears a single foot print proof mark. The socket bayonet also bears faux E.I.C. markings to give the impression that this was imported but that is not the case.
The wood stock is magnificent and the musket has Brass mounts. The trigger guard bears the Nepalese Battalion Marking which can be no doubt identified in GUNS OF THE GURKHAS by John Walter.
The finest single example we were able to find of this Original Gurkha Brown Bess Musket. Ready to add to your collection and display!
Specifications:
Years of Manufacture: Circa 1820
Caliber: .75" 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.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
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