Original British Made EIC Brunswick P-1841 Late Model Officer’s Musket circa 1845 – British Proofed Barrel Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The Nepalese cache purchase of 2003 is truly the gift that keeps on giving, even after almost 20 years! This is a lovely British-made EIC smooth bore full stocked Officer’s Musket, which has the outward appearance of being a late model Brunswick Rifle (P-1841). These were introduced for use by Junior Officers (NCOs) who led Companies of Smoothbore Musketeers armed with either the smoothbore Flintlock 3rd Model Brown Bess or P-1842 Percussion smoothbore Musket.

Initially these NCOs were issued with Rifled P-1837 Brunswicks, however, the poor quality of the black powder of the period created so much fouling in the rifled barrels that the Officer’s rate of fire suffered drastically. The result was that the attending Company of Musketeers reduced their rate of fire to match the slow pace of the Officer’s rifled weapon. To solve this problem in 1841 NCOs were issued Smoothbore Brunswicks that allowed the Officer the status & prestige of carrying what appeared to be a rifled weapon but that was able to match the rate of fire of other smoothbore muskets.

Almost all of the examples that we have found were clearly of Indian or Nepalese manufacture, however this example is definitely British made. The EIC Lion on the the lock plate is definitely British-style, and the Barrel is marked with the CROWN / GP “Gunmaker’s Proof” and CROWN / V “Viewed” markings from the London proof house. The barrel also shows spiral forging, something common in British gunmaking at the time.

Condition is very good, having been restored by our expert antique gunsmiths. The lock is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full. Both sling swivels are present, as is the ramrod, and the rear and front sights are present as well. All of the barrel wedge escutcheons are present, as are the barrel wedges.

A great chance to pick up a scarce British made P-1841 Officer’s musket, ready to display!

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: circa 1845
Caliber: .70 inches
Ammunition Type: Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: Approx. 30 inches (varies)
Overall Length: Approx. 45 inches (varies)
Action: Back Action Percussion Lock
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. International customers should always consult their country’s antique gun laws prior to ordering.