Original Item: Only One Available. The Nepalese cache purchase of 2003 is truly the gift that keeps on giving, even after almost 20 years! Among other percussion arms we recently unearthed this, a very nice example of a British Third Model Brown Bess, with the 39″ barrel adopted in 1796. It was later converted to Percussion, either before or after service in Nepal, and has been fully cleaned and restored. It still retains the original British markings on both the lock and the barrel, with faded markings on the stock.

Also known as the “India Pattern”, this was the standard Musket of the line during 1815, the time of the Battle of Waterloo. This example has a lovely walnut stock, which still retains the “bannister rail” butt stock, a feature that was basically done away with after 1807. The musket has a full 39 1/2″ regulation length, .75″ smoothbore iron barrel, which bears British Proof Marks, which are still fully clear. These include CROWN / V, the “Viewing” mark, and the “Crown over Crossed Scepters” of Thomas Ketland of St Catherine St, Weaman Row Birmingham, who worked 1766 to 1810. This was later adopted as the mark of the Birmingham Proofhouse. It’s somewhat rare to see the proofs this visible, as they are in a high wear area.

The lock plate is full marked with Crown over