Original British Napoleonic Wars P-1796 Third Model Brown Bess Flintlock Musket – 44th Regiment Original Items

Original Item: One Only. This is a great example of a regimentally marked really early Third model “India Patterm” Brown Bess, which still retains the “bannister rail” butt stock. This feature was basically done away with after 1807. The musket has a full 39″ regulation length, .75″ smoothbore iron barrel, which bears British Proof Marks, though they are slightly eroded due to powder corrosion.

The lock plate is full marked with Crown over “G.R.” mid lock, and “TOWER” across the tail. 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. The lock and barrel have old pitting from powder burns. The barrel is marked to the:-

44TH REGT.

The 44th regiment was raised by Colonel James Long as James Long’s Regiment of Foot in 1741, and then re-designated the 44th Regiment of Foot in 1751. In 1782, most British regiments of foot were given county designations, and the regiment became the 44th (the East Essex) Regiment of Foot, and this was the name it held during the Napoleonic wars.

Napoleonic Wars Service
The regiment was sent to the West Indies in 1795 for service in the French Revolutionary Wars and took part in the recapture Martinique and Saint Lucia which, following the peace treaty of 1763, had been returned to France, and the attack on Guadeloupe. After returning to England, it took part in the expedition to Egypt in 1800 and fought at the Battle of Alexandria in March 1801 the Siege of Cairo in May 1801 and the Siege of Alexandria in September 1801. It returned home at the end of the year. The regiment was increased in strength to two battalions in 1803.

The 1st battalion embarked for North America in 1814 for service in the War of 1812 and saw action at the Battle of Bladensburg in August 1814, the Battle of North Point in September 1814 and the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815.

Meanwhile the 2nd battalion landed in Portugal in September 1810 and took part in the Battle of Sabugal in April 1811, the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro in May 1811 and the Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo in January 1812. The battalion went on to fight at the Siege of Badajoz in March 1812. At the Battle of Salamanca in July 1812 Lieutenant William Pearce of the 2nd battalion captured the French Imperial Eagle of the French 62nd Regiment. The battalion also took part in the Siege of Burgos in September 1812 and then returned home in June 1813. The battalion embarked for Holland later in the year and saw action at the Battle of Quatre Bras and the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815.

The Classic Third Model Brown Bess named to a regiment with extensive Napoleonic service, ready to display.