Here we have a beautiful Brown Bess of the India Pattern, dated to 1798 with clear East India Company Marks. It appears this is a privately purchased musket put into service, most likely by a wealthier officer outfitting his men with a better grade of equipment.
This musket is one of the better quality ones we have seen and has things like fluted decoration and a rather elaborate lock and pan.
The musket is very clearly marked with the EIC stamp, the makers mark “HENSHAW” who appears to be a gunsmith from Cambridge active around the 1800’s and a member of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers in the City of London. The barrel bears.
The musket is made of a varnished hardwood with polished brass fittings and a steel barrel and workings. The lock and pan are a more elaborate mechanism than on many period firearms and indicates a higher quality than many used in the kings army.
The bayonet bears the manufacturers mark ‘K&A’ or ‘R&A’ and has a faded acceptance mark.
~ Dimensions ~
The barrel is 39 inches (99 cm) long.
The musket is 54 inches (137 cm) long.
The bayonet is 22 inches (56 cm) long.
The set weighs 4.53 Kg.
~ Condition ~
The musket is in exceptional condition with some extremely clear markings.
The locks spring has lost some tension with use but it still goes to cock and half cock, the mechanism fires well.
The wood has some cosmetic scuffs but the aged finish is nice.
The steel has some ageing showing and the barrel has some even surface rust and some minor pitting.
ref. GS7375F41 / MLCCOOX32LP12R
