Brown Bess References

ArtyMan

ArtyMan

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Hello,

As I’ve seemingly gone deeper into the world of owning and shooting antique firearms, I find myself looking more often at British Military issue Brown Bess Muskets. I’ve seen the fantastic videos done by British Muzzle Loaders on YouTube, but am looking for any suggestions on recommended print references. I understand that lots can happen over 160+ years to a firearm, and am very keen on being able to accurately identify parts or originality of an antique before a potential purchase.

Thanks!
 
A good one to get is “The Brown Bess” by Erik Goldstein and Stuart Mowbray. Lots of great photos and details to help you determine what it is you’re looking at, and if it’s legit.
 
I have a copy of "Red Coat and Brown Bess" by Anthony D. Darling. It's a decent overview but isn't as in depth as other sources seeing as its a mere 63 pages long. Still, a good pamphlet for the paltry sums you'll find it for at gun shows or charity shops.
 
RangeRover said:
A good one to get is “The Brown Bess” by Erik Goldstein and Stuart Mowbray. Lots of great photos and details to help you determine what it is you’re looking at, and if it’s legit.
Click to expand...

Just got my copy - what an excellent book! Well worth the money. Thanks for the suggestion!!

Now to find a Bess….
 
Not a history of the Brown Bess, but rather a history of the gunmaking world that made the Brown Bess: Empire of Guns, The Violent Making of the Industrial Revolution, by Priya Satia. A truly excellent book. If you want to know the many variations of the Brown Bess, this is not the book to read. If you want to know more about why the various models existed, the cost-cutting reasons, availability of parts, resources and smiths, competition between families etc., it is a very worthwhile read.
 
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