Title
English India Pattern Musket
Description
This style of English flintlock musket is commonly referred to as the Third Model Brown Bess. This model was adopted in 1797 by the English government, years after the American Revolution, but continued features of the standard shoulder weapon issued during that war.
The musket's English walnut stock supports an iron barrel which is pinned to the stock after standard English practice on 18th century weapons. The barrel on this late 18th century model measures 39 inches in length. The top of the barrel is clearly stamped with the heart-shaped “EIC” markings of the East India Company. Additional barrel markings include “WILSON 1779.” These marks represent the London lock maker Richard Wilson. Other barrel markings include English government proof stamps and “RW.” The round iron pins which secure the barrel to the stock are located below the barrel and run into the wood stock. The brass furniture of this 3rd model “Brown Bess” musket is patterned after the English government's Short Land Pattern model and includes a trigger-guard plate, butt plate, and a rounded side plate. The iron rammer is secured under the stock by three brass thimbles. The musket's lock plate is stamped “WILSON” forward of a gooseneck-style cock. The lock also includes a heart-shaped stamp “EIC” and “1779” behind cock. These lock markings are quite similar to the matching barrel markings. The lock includes a wood practice flint in jaws.
Caliber: .75
Weight: 9.2 lbs.
Length: 54 3/4"
Barrel: 39"
The musket's English walnut stock supports an iron barrel which is pinned to the stock after standard English practice on 18th century weapons. The barrel on this late 18th century model measures 39 inches in length. The top of the barrel is clearly stamped with the heart-shaped “EIC” markings of the East India Company. Additional barrel markings include “WILSON 1779.” These marks represent the London lock maker Richard Wilson. Other barrel markings include English government proof stamps and “RW.” The round iron pins which secure the barrel to the stock are located below the barrel and run into the wood stock. The brass furniture of this 3rd model “Brown Bess” musket is patterned after the English government's Short Land Pattern model and includes a trigger-guard plate, butt plate, and a rounded side plate. The iron rammer is secured under the stock by three brass thimbles. The musket's lock plate is stamped “WILSON” forward of a gooseneck-style cock. The lock also includes a heart-shaped stamp “EIC” and “1779” behind cock. These lock markings are quite similar to the matching barrel markings. The lock includes a wood practice flint in jaws.
Caliber: .75
Weight: 9.2 lbs.
Length: 54 3/4"
Barrel: 39"
Source
Brown, M.L. Firearms in Colonial America: The Impact on History and Technology 1492-1792. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1980.
Date
c. 1779
Rights
George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park
Identifier
VAFO 110
Original Format
Photograph