Original British Napoleonic 3rd Model Brown Bess Flintlock Musket Marked 30th Regiment 2nd Battalion Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. From the British Napoleonic Collection I.M.A. purchased in England in 2014, this is a lovely third Pattern Brown Bess, with the 39″ barrel adopted in 1796. Also known as the “India Pattern”, it was the standard Musket of the line during 1815, the time of the Battle of Waterloo. This example has a lovely valnut 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″ regulation length, .75″ smoothbore iron barrel, which bears British Proof Marks, which are still mostly clear: CROWN / GR  and a Birmingham Proofhouse mark. There is also a proof mark on the barrel tang.

The lock plate is full marked with Crown over G.R. mid lock for King George III, and TOWER across the tail. The lock has a swan neck cock, indicating pre-1808 construction, so this is a rifle that was in service during the Napoleonic wars. It has all regulation brass furniture, together with correct issue iron ramrod. Shows use but remains in amazingly tight and clean condition. Action is strong and holds at half cock, firing correctly at full cock, though it requires a strong trigger pull. The lock is quite clean and in great shape. The barrel has some powder burns on the right side by the lock, but is otherwise very nice.

The top of the barrel bears the following regimental marking:-

XXX REGt. 2-BN

It is also marked D | 65 on the butt plate tang, indicating Company D, 65th man.

The 30th (Cambridgeshire) Regiment of Foot, represented in their regimental emblem with the iconic XXX designation, was originally raised in Lincolnshire by Viscount Castleton as Lord Castleton’s Regiment of Foot in 1689, during the Nine Years’ War. It was later re-designated 30th Regiment of Foot, when regiments were no longer known by their commander’s name. It was attached to Cambridgeshire in 1782 before the Napoleonic wars, and interestingly ONLY THE SECOND BATTALION was present at the Battle of Waterloo, under the command of LT. COLONEL HAMILITON ALEXANDER who was wounded in the action. Scheduled to have his leg amputated the surgeon attending him was continually called away so that Colonel Hamilton finally decided after the third postponement to take his chances and amazingly recovered, saving the leg and he lived until 1838.

In really fine overall condition still showing British Proof marks to the barrel having been in a private Museum Collection for over the last 100 years in England.

A beauty and ready to display!

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: Circa 1796-1805
Caliber: .75″ Musket
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 39 inches
Overall Length: 55.5 inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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