Revolutionary war era brown bess?

[Josh Beckett]

Does anyone have a brown bess musket that was made during the American revolution? How much would one fetch if one was up for sale?

[MauserKar98k]

I'd eventually like to get my hands on one of these as well.

[phild]

it's been about 20 years since I fooled much with them so i don't remember too many specifics. I would think that a google search and 20 minutes would give everything that you want to know!

I can say that these muskets were in service for almost 100 years (really much longer if you include remote use by native forces..etc..) and the revolution was just about in the middle of this period of manufacture. The point being there are many slight variations, some not so slight variations and some post 1780s modifications that were carried out on many of those still in service.

You will need to do a bit of research in order to know every detail that one in the original config. for the period of the revolution should exhibit and probably also an expert in tow to make sure that it has not been recently restored to that original configuration!

[Daniel H.]

So much depends on condition, as Phild writes above, but I did some price checking last year and even Brown Bess' with 19th century alterations were over $2k. Finding one in pre-1800 configuration and original condition will be hard and quite expensive.

[nutmeg]

A good Shortland could run 6-8k and a Longland 8-12k. Add regimental markings, early date or rarer pattern, or US surcharges and that could go up another 50% . You have best damn well know what you are doing as the majority have been monkeyed with and many are reconversions from percussion.

[Josh Beckett]

Looks like one of those are out of the question for now. But I wouldnt mind getting one someday.

[Sudfront]

There are only a few dealers I would trust with such a purchase. I am in the market for an unaltered Prussian 1740 pattern myself, and this is about the tenth month of the quest. Be patient and you will find what you want. My advice is arm yourself with knowledge beforehand. Even reputable and knowledgeable dealers make mistakes.

[Josh Beckett]

There are only a few dealers I would trust with such a purchase. I am in the market for an unaltered Prussian 1740 pattern myself, and this is about the tenth month of the quest. Be patient and you will find what you want. My advice is arm yourself with knowledge beforehand. Even reputable and knowledgeable dealers make mistakes.

I saw a 1740 Prussian at an auction around here, the guy was a big gun collector and an oilman. He had a few brown besses as well, but we didnt get to see how much they sold for. Good luck, I will keep my eyes open for you.

[Brian George]

Nutmeg is right: Rev War longarms are a minefield. Assume everything you see is messed with in some way.

I have a Prussian 1740, but it's a repro, built by Todd Gerding from a Rifle Shoppe kit:



Not the best picture in the world, I know. Don't mind the ugly fat man holding it :-)

Brian

[Josh Beckett]

How does it shoot? I have shot some repro flintlocks from the era, but never a prussian 1740.