Opinions on Indian produced Brown Bess's and other muskets

F

FARMHANDYO

CGN Regular
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Hi everyone,

I am wondering if someone can give me some info or share their experience on Indian made muskets and if you have had good luck with them. Quality of the lock, durability, and historical accuracy things like that. As a history buff for a long time I have wanted a Brown Bess but the cost of a Pedersoli is extremely high. I also by looking at the two muskets (Pedersoli vs Indian), have noticed that the Indian made ones seem to be hand fitted and fit more of the 1700s ascetic.

Anyways all info is welcome as I am trying to decide on whether I should purchase one or not. Im looking at using 69 caliber balls and 100 grain charges in the musket.
Also any opinions on Military Heritage vs Veteran Arms.
http://www.militaryheritage.com/musket7.htm
https://marstar.ca/product/pedersoli-brown-bess-musket-2/
http://veteranarms.com/ReproductionMuzzleloadersandFlintlocks/1769-Short-Land-Brown-Bess.html

Hope you all are doing well.
 
The indian muskets tend to be over polished and the wood is teak I believe.There has been numerous threads about the indian muskets being unsafe do to the threading of the breech plug etc.That said a lot of guys buy them ,rework them and are happy with them.I understand that the Pedersolis price has gone up considerably and it is harder getting some of that money back on the used gun market for a second hand muzzleloader if you lose interest in it and decide to sell it
 
Yes, there are lots of threads discussing the pros and cons of Indian made muskets. Some swear by them and some think of them as death traps. However, there are thousands of them that have been produced and used. I think more than the barrels being the issue, one has to look at things like the lock and triggers etc. How well they function or hold up might be the main issues. I have a used percussion Indian musket coming so I will see shortly what kind of "downfalls" it has.
 
I have seen them and been tempted. Have heard horror stories, but they are hard to find. The ones you do find, the failure was caused by Unsafe practices of the shooter for the most part. Getting them working reliably, apparently is the trick. The place in Nova Scotia that sells them is very good from my cousins experience there.
 
Yes if I was going to buy one i d go with Loyalist arms in Nova Scotia as well as I ve heard they have a good reputation for customer service.Myself I d go with the Sea Service Bess as I like the look of it
 
Pedersoli or Loyalist Arms as Chasseur says. I have two reproduction Bess, one from Loyalist Arms and one from the other place in Canada. I've had the Loyalist Arms Bess for over a decade and haven't had any issues with it. It came ready to shoot right out of the box. The other one required the vent drilled, the frizzen hardened and the smith had to built up the threads on the breech plug for a proper fit. Now that one works very well also. All the Pedersoli's I have seen have been beautiful examples, another beauty is the Japanese made Miroku Bess.
 
Loyalist arms has very poor pictures of their muskets. Anyone interested in posting some pics of their Indian Bess? Especially the inside of the lock.
 
My used Indian musket arrived. It is not a Brown Bess but I must say I am surprised by it for some of the stories you hear about India made guns. Mine is by Narain Jagannath from 1971. It is put together very well with all inletting well done. Yes, the stock looks like Teak. The bore has that grainy appearance. I don't know if that is from past use or from the way it was when made but it has been going for 50 years now.
 
Has anyone tried browning the barrels and locks on the ones from loyalist arms? Am currently looking for a trade musket in 62 cal and am looking at those. Just don't care for the polished look of them.
 
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