"Brown Bess" musket, English, circa 1780

flintlock musket

British flintlock musket, c. 1780. Brass fittings. King George III musket, known as "Tower Musket" or "Brown Bess". Muskets were issued in bright steel and British troops treated them so they would resist rust. Probably salt petre and heat were used to accomplish this. This enhances its value for it proves it was issued to a trooper. Has a rare "Swan Neck" hammer or "Cock". "India Pattern"; 3 ramrod pipes for holding ramrod.