1884.27.38.1

Collection type

Object

Description

Smooth bore 'Brown Bess' long gun with a metal ramrod and piece of flint. For bayonet see [1884.27.38 .2].

Long description

Brown Bess, slightly modified stock cock adapted to flint-screw, no finger grip on trigger guard, no sight English Light Infantry George III and IV. For bayonet see [1884.27.38 .2].

Geographical reference

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Europe > Northern Europe > United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Cultural groups

English

Person

Maker Unknown Maker

Field collector Unknown Collector

PRM source Augustus Henry Lane Fox Pitt Rivers founding collection

Date / Period

Date made: 1750-1850

Date collected

?By 1862

Acquisition information

Donated: 1884

Materials and processes

Material Metal, Material Wood Plant, Material Brass Metal, Process Forged (Metal)

Dimensions

Length: max 1390 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1884.27.38.1 Other numbers: 37

Research and responses

From 1851 Pitt Rivers was interested in the development of new firearms as a result of his work for the Schools of Musketry. This object was probably part of this work. [AP Leverhulme project on founding collection 1995-1998]

Related Documents File - Information about the Brown Bess provided by R Oliver including photographs of this type of weapon. 'The Brown Bess was the musket of the British army from about 1730-1835. It appeared in 8 different patterns. [followed by detailed information, nb there is no indication of the original source of this information][AP Leverhulme project on founding collection 1995-1998]

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_bess: Brown Bess is a nickname of unknown origin for the British Army's Land Pattern Musket and its derivatives. This musket was used in the era of the expansion of the British Empire and acquired symbolic importance at least as significant as its physical importance. It was in use for over a hundred years with many incremental changes in its design. These versions include the Long Land Pattern, Short Land Pattern, India Pattern, New Land Pattern Musket, Sea Service Musket and others.

The Long Land Pattern musket and its derivatives, all 0.75 calibre flintlock muskets, were the standard long guns of the British Empire's land forces from 1722 until 1838 when they were superseded by a percussion cap rifled musket. At the time, the British Ordnance System did not have a policy of replacing functioning firearms in armories and the Brown Bess saw service until the middle of the nineteenth century. Some were still in service during the Indian rebellion of 1857 and some were sold to Mexico where troops used them during the Texas Revolution of 1836 and the Mexican-American War of 1846 to 1848. ... [AP 29/09/2006]

Associated publications

This object features in the Museum's audio guide produced in 2010. [HH 20/06/2010]

Search terms: Firearm Weapon, Firearm, Bayonet