Brown Bess Musket Restoration Part 8: Final Assembly

Part 8 and final version of a multi video restoration of an East India Company (EIC), India pattern 3rd model, brown bess flintlock musket with an EIC lock made by John Rea in 1784 and 0.75 caliber Nepalese Barrel with Gurkha markings, circa 1820. Part of the collection found in the Royal Nepalese Armory in Kathmandu.

[@craigtupper103]

You hooked me with that video. Can’t wait to take the time to watch the rest of the series

[@Restoring_The_Past]

Hey Craig, I am so happy you enjoyed the video. Thanks for the support and I wish you the best of luck with your current and future projects.

[@jimmykool3253]

Just finished your videos can’t wait for more

[@Restoring_The_Past]

I Hello, I am so glad to hear that you enjoy the videos. That's great! I am currently working on some and will post them soon. Take care.

[@usna98]

Beautiful job on the Bess! Would love to see a video on your refinishing secrets.

[@danm7298]

IT looks to me like the cleaned and complete ones from IMA have lockplates that werent fully cleaned. but im not sure.

[@Restoring_The_Past]

Hi Dan, yes, I think the lockplates on the completed examples were not overly cleaned if at all. I am not sure exactly what steps IMA takes to get these put together but most of them still appear to have rust and patina present.

[@danm7298]

Do you need a special tool to get the springs on and off of the lockplate?

[@Restoring_The_Past]

Yes, it is much easier with a main spring vice like the one I used in the video.

[@danm7298]

what do you do if your lock has slop in the hammer?

[@Restoring_The_Past]

Same techniques apply for pretty much everything. If yours is all gummed up, then I recommend taking it appart and at least wipping all of this away with mineral spirits.

[@abseconPC]

I'm sorry but I have no audio do you plan on shooting it do you think it would be safe to shoot

[@Restoring_The_Past]

Hey Brett, sorry for the late reply. Yes I do believe it would be safe to shoot but as of right now I have not tested it. Maybe that will be another video sometime! Take care!

[@alittlebitofeverything5090]

Great job! I have a Nepalese Gurkha 3rd Model Brown Bess in its original condition, which is very good. I'm thinking about selling it. What would you recommend for an asking price. Collectors Firearms has one posted for $3350, but you can tell that the metal has been cleaned up on theirs. Mine is original and not rusted or anything. Thank you

[@Restoring_The_Past]

Hello, sorry for the late reply. Its hard to say whithout seeing it but it sounds like you have a real beauty on your hands. Check around and see what they tend to go for and then try and find an average somehwere that works for you. Sometimes the asking price doesn't reflect the selling price but I see the number of available original brown bess items is quickly vanishing so this might help as these items beome harder to find. Best of luck!

[@alittlebitofeverything5090]

@@Restoring_The_Past Thank you much

[@mickeyholding7970]

Did you put boiled linseed oil on your stock?

[@Restoring_The_Past]

Hello Mickey, no I did not use an oil finish on the stock. I use various materials, including varnish I make myself in a multi step process to achieve this look. It is the same process used 300 years ago.