I have a 1770 dated Brown Bess made by Richard Wilson, London. This musket is engraved on the barrel "ANTIGUA". The barrel length is 39". It. has a brass plate engraved on the wrist A/3 or A/5. Hard to tell as the top of the number is worn off. This musket was found in an old Masonic building in Vermont and was likely there from the 1850's. Unfortunately, the musket was converted to percussion probably in the 1830's.
Great seminar! You mentioned that you neutralize the stock with a wipe down of ammonia with the brass furniture in place. What does the ammonia do to the brass fixtures?
Very interesting video. I have a Brown Bess my father bought in 1948. It has hung on the wall ever since. It was found in Georgia. It’s condition is very good. I would like to learn more about it. It has a ring neck cock. You photos all had Sean neck cocks. When would you think the first ring neck Cocks show up? It is marked with a crown and GR.
Every period manual I have read refers to putting the empty whole cartridge complete with ball down the barrel paper down. Giving two sharp taps to form the paper into a wad on the powder behind the ball and to hold the ball in place. The period makers finish for the wood (linseed oil-resin varnish) would accord with the Sea Service black paint finish, being the same with a black pigment added. As to which pigment I find no mention anywhere. Bone black would be good and assist with drying but I suspect cost would make the makers look to common lamp black.
Surely with modern technology we can 3D print copy any part of a valuable antique rifle and measure from that, no harm would be done to the original that way. Chris B.
Kings Land Service Infantry and Sea Service muskets were all made in wrought iron. Given the dimensions of the barrel walls and pressures from period appropriate loads the steel type today would be irrelevant unless you went out of your way to use some weird brittle steel. Do note that the period powder quantities were with period quality military musket powders which varied over time from early shockingly bad to late middling. Late service musket loads were 120 grains plus, say, 10 grains for the pan. Stuff 6 drams of Swiss (not drachms!) down a Kings Musket and you will exceed the original pressure quite noticeably and receive the recoil you deserve. 4 drams of Swiss will give the period feel under a 0,685” ball. I have typically used 8 grams (4,5 drams) of mediocre Vectan Musket Powder in my musket down the barrel.
Ethan thank you so much for volunteering yourself to film some of the seminars from the Kempton show for those of us could not attend. These videos are a wealth of information and I hope they reach so many people. Keep up the amazing work!
I was at Kempton and I missed Dave's presentation because I didn't check the program . I have been kicking my butt for a month . Thank you very much for posting on line . I have an original City Of New York Bess made by Richard Wilson that I would like to restore . This will be very helpful . Great work !!
This is absolutely invaluable. Thank you for posting for those of us that can’t make it to the fair. And thank you to Mitch for your time and knowledge!
