CANADIAN MILITIA WAR OF 1812 VINTAGE PATTERN 1795 BROWN BESS WITH BAYONET

CANADIAN MILITIA WAR OF 1812 VINTAGE PATTERN 1795 BROWN BESS WITH BAYONET

Hover to zoom

Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4 Image 5 Image 6 Image 7 Image 8 Image 9 Image 10 Image 11 Image 12 Image 13 Image 14 Image 15 Image 16 Image 17 Image 18 Image 19 Image 20 Image 21 Image 22 Image 23 Image 24 Image 25 Image 26 Image 27

$2,295.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1273-31

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

Many claim that the "Brown Bess" was named after Elizabeth I of England (However she was dead over a century before the first of these was made). Uses of the term first appear in the later 18th century. The Connecticut Courant in April 1771, said "...but if you are afraid of the sea, take Brown Bess on your shoulder and march."  The 1785 Dictionary of Vulgar Tongue, a contemporary work which defined vernacular and slang terms, contained this entry: "Brown Bess: A soldier's firelock. To hug Brown Bess; to carry a firelock or serve as a private soldier." Other popular explanations of the use of the word "Brown" include that it was a reference to either the color of the walnut stocks or to the characteristic brown color that was produced by russeting, an early form of metal treatment. However, the Oxford English Dictionary notes that "browning" was only introduced in the early 19th century, well after the term had come into general use. The word "Bess" is commonly held to either derive from the word arquebus. More plausible is that the name could have been derived from the German words "brawn buss" or "braun buss", meaning "strong gun" or "brown gun"; King George I who sanctioned its use as early as the first quarter of the 18th century was from Germany.

The musket we are offering was manufactured ca. 1815 as part of a small contract let out to "RAMSEY SUTHERLAND" of "LONDON" which is clearly marked on the lock plate. The arms were destined for New Brunswick, Canada and her militia to refill their then depleted stocks of Tower muskets. The majority of regulation Tower assembled muskets were sent to the seat of war (Niagara and surrounds) with the 104th Regiment of Foot in 1813.  This "commercial" Pattern 1795 Brown Bess was also known as the "India Pattern" based on the Windus Pattern carried by infantrymen of the Venerable East India Company more than 40 years before. This "Land Pattern" musket has a 39-inch .75 caliber smooth bore barrel. It has the post-1809 reinforced ring throated cock, the straight sided post-1809 flash pan. The commercial proofs on the barrel are 1813 and later. All the metal components have a nice surface with a little surface, easily cleaned, rust but no serious pitting. The ramrod although not threaded at the end is original (This compiler has noted that unthreaded rods are the rule on these R S New Brunswick Besses). The rarely found original sealed pattern sling swivels are intact. The lock plate is nicely maker marked and the mechanics are perfect. The cock's top jaw and screw are original. However, the brass side plate and one of the lock screws or "nails" is a modern replacement. The otherwise crisp, unmolested, walnut full-length stock has suffered a violent blow on the butt that has caused a break through the lock region destabilizing it. Also, there are a couple of stress cracks in the butt and right rear trigger guard area. A very old "official" looking stamp of the right butt stock shows a 1/2 inch high "C" over a smaller "C.CM" which could mean "Condemned. Canada Militia"? Despite this a clever wood worker could make all these flaws disappear. With it comes a perfectly fitting bayonet that is in the same condition as the musket; it is nicely inspected. A fine and rare weapon whose stock needs a helping hand.   [pe][ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!

Inquire »

Inquire About CANADIAN MILITIA WAR OF 1812 VINTAGE PATTERN 1795 BROWN BESS WITH BAYONET

should be empty