Original British P-1771 East India Company Brown Bess Flintlock Musket with Banister Rail Stock – Dated 1776 Original Items

Original Item (except where specified): Only One Available. This is a super restored example of of the Pattern 1771 EIC Brown Bess musket. The example has an original 1776 dated lock by the maker HENSHAW as well as an original English proofed barrel. The reproduction stock has been expertly shaped into the true third model pattern banister rail type and the entire gun has been cleaned and polished to give it a “like new” appearance.

It is no secret that included in the extraordinary cache of arms purchased from the Royal Nepalese Armory by IMA there were a limited quantity of original 18th Century British Brown Bess Flintlock Muskets. Regrettably, they were in a deplorable condition having arrived in Nepal via the East India Company sometime before 1820 and laid undisturbed, and not cared for, since the 1850’s. These Brown Bess Muskets are the East India Company Pattern of 1771 featuring a 39″ barrel. The British Government adopted the 39″ barrel (reduced in length from the 42” Short Land Pattern) in 1796. This is why these muskets are commonly referred to as “The Brown Bess India Pattern of 1796” or the Brown Bess 3rd model.

The Flintlock Locks were all made in England for the East India Company and still retain English maker markings, and incredibly dates within the 1770’s. Each lock also shows the East India Company heart symbol across lock tail. None of these locks however, bear a “Crown G.R.” symbol as India was privately run as a corporation until after the Sepoy Rebellion of 1857/58 when the British Government assumed control. Once in Ghurka hands, after 1816, many of these original English manufactured and marked locks were remarked with the Nepalese Crest, we offer Gurkha re-marked lock Brown Bess sets separately. However, incredibly a very few remained unaltered with original English markings and 1776 dates that we are proud to offer for the first time since the arrival of the Nepal Cache to the market. Because so many of the original stocks are broken, rotted and useless we have decided a complete fully assembled musket built by hand by IMA’s own master gunsmith. These are the features:

• Original English made Flintlock lock with 1776 date, EIC Heart & HENSHAW name. Fully integrated to the new stock, operational, cleaned and oiled. Not intended for firing.
• Original Brown Bess 39” barrel made and proofed in England with a correct square tang. Fully installed to the new stock, cleaned and oiled. Not intended for firing.
• Original all steel button nosed ramrod, cleaned, oiled and installed.
• New Made stained and oiled hardwood stock, Third Model pattern with banister rail, complete with all brass mounts, butt plate, trigger guard, side plate and ramrod pipes (3) together with a new made trigger assembly already fitted.