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Brown Bess Questions

blacksmithaaron
Was there ever a Brown Bess model that had a 39 inch barrel and was also in 69 caliber. I have a barrel and ramrod from some old musket. The barrel has the date 1841 stamped on the top, and after doing some research and asking knowledgeable people, I am pretty sure that it is a Brown Bess, but can't find any information about a 69. caliber one. One guy I asked said he has a Brown Bess in .69 caliber and also with a 39 inch barrel, but he didn't know what model it was.
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5 comments

Date Votes
  • jjmitchell60
    There was a later version issued to Royal Marines that was shorter and I am not for sure but possibly in 69 cal. I own a long land pattern in 75 cal and have owned the officers carbine in 65 cal *sold it a few years ago) but some where in my mind I recall a Royal marine model in 69 cal. I could be wrong but do not think so. I will check som reference material I have ONCE I dig it out of my reenacting cargo van, it lists ALL weapons that all the countries that even had dealings with North America had. Give me a week or so to find it please.
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  • rhmc24
    The book "British Military Firearm 1650-1850" by Howard Blackmore covers the subject and lists no military arm of .69 caliber.

    The English musket the India Pattern introduced in 1797 with 39" barrel had the standard musket bore of .75". It is also called the Third Model Brown Bess.

    Blackmore, book published 1961, was then in charge of arms in the Tower of London - probably no better authority on the subject.
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  • blacksmithaaron
    Oh, Yeah. I forgot to mention that there is a date, 1841, stamped on the top of the barrel near the breech.
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  • odentheviking
    You may have one of the muskets between the "Brown Bess" and the Mdl 1842. Most British smooth bores were 75 cal., but often Officer mdls, light Infantry, Dragoons, etc.... would have sub-calibers. I have a 62 cal. light Inf. mdl, buthave never heard of a 69 cal., not saying one was NEVER made.
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  • Spider7115
    I have a sneaking suspicion that this could be a US Model 1816, Third Type, and not a Brown Bess. Pictures are definitely needed.
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