History of Brown Bess and Techniques for Accurate Reproduction | Gunmakers Fair at Kempton

In this seminar from the 2023 Gunmakers Fair at Kempton, Muzzleloader Builder Dave Person shares the history of Brown Bess, including it's origins, important dates, designers and the variety of patterns of Brown Bess through the years.
Video Recording Sponsored by ‪@ILoveMuzzleloading‬
Video Chapters:
3:00 “Why is it called Brown Bess”
5:31 Evolution of the King’s Musket
15:03 The Long Land Muskets 17:30-1769
20:06 Pattern 1742
21:52 Pattern 1756
24:10 The Short Land Muskets 1757-1777
29:32 Making the King’s Musket
34:58 Brown Bess Lock Making
37:10 Brown Bess Key Details
54:38 Brown Bess Coloring
01:04:00 Q&A
"Our mission is to preserve and present the art and industry of making early American muzzleloading firearms and accouterments. Bringing together artisans and crafts people that help create and support the gunmaking industry. Promote muzzleloading by giving seminars on topics such as gun making, horn making, bag making, gun collecting, match competition, hunting, historical re-enactments, and other educational based programs.”
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[@cphillips237]

A must see video for all lovers of brown Bess muskets and a wealth of information.

[@uriah-s97]

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!

[@Real11BangBang]

35:04 as somebody who tried to build their first lock as a wheellock pistol lock You are absolutely right on this one. It is an utter nightmare lol

[@Bernie7330]

Ethan, Thanks for preserving and editing this great presentation! It's a great service to our entire black powder community.

[@micmacpole]

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.

[@Real11BangBang]

2:14 and I took that personal 😂😂😂

[@johnfisk811]

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.

[@rossjones5848]

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 !!

[@joemolf3894]

Outstanding history Dave!

[@richstone2627]

Outstanding! Thank you

[@louc3336]

Well done ,thanks

[@noapologizes2018]

Very Interesting . . . .

[@andhelm7097]

What type of steel is used for brown bess barrel,any idea?

[@johnfisk811]

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.

[@andhelm7097]

@@johnfisk811 Thank you 😊

[@richardlahan7068]

Are black powder charges measured in drams in Europe? They are measured in grains in the US.

[@johnfisk811]

@@richardlahan7068 Grams in Europe. Drams are the traditional British measure, and never to be confused with drachms.

[@rickyburton4642]

Laughing jack needs to go home