Okay so this musket (I presume that’s the correct term) has been kicking around the family for quite a while.

Rather than hiding it behind a wardrobe for all eternity I’m considering putting it above the mantle in some way, but to do that I would need to replace the pin that holds the barrel to the stock and fit a ramrod so it looks more complete.

There are no external marks or writing anywhere on the gun. If anyone knows about these things any info would be greatly appreciated.

If there really are “no markings anywhere” on the gun then it’s likely not to have been proofed so no gunsmith will work on it (or shouldn’t) – this may be different if it really is a musket and not an early shotgun.

We had to scrap the three shotguns we had on the farm because of this.

Well there’s no way to add insert cartridge and it used to have a ramrod attached (it got broken then lost) so I think it’s a musket. I could be wrong though.

Any help?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Bess

Yonks ago I saw a mention of this place…

http://www.gunproof.com/Proofing/proofing.html

… but I haven’t read the details.

@slowoldgit – slightly oddly I’m reading that very page!

jimdubleyou – Member

Any help?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_Bess

I don’t think it’s a brown bess because it’s percusssion cap as opposed to flintlock.

slowoldgit – Member

Yonks ago I saw a mention of this place…

http://www.gunproof.com/Proofing/proofing.html

… but I haven’t read the details.

Thanks slowoldgit, I’ll take a read.

It looks like it’s been painted brown with that fence treatment. I bet it would look smashing cleaned up and perhaps with the steel parts lightly lacquered to keep them bright.

I think that’s just from 100ish years of neglect and storage. I think a bit of subtle cleaning will be in order but I don’t want to go ott on it. I don’t want to make it too much of a focal point.

I had a ‘live pigeon’ gun that looked similar. Black powder 10 bore.

I don’t think it’s a brown bess because it’s percusssion cap as opposed to flintlock

Lots were converted to percussion cap according to wiki.

Is the inside of the barrel smooth, rifled or hexagonal?

I think Big Chris might be looking for you…

looks a bit like a crimean period enfield pattern 1842 but I don’t think it is

I’ve got an 1860 Dixon with similar lines, but with a bit of engraving etc. It’s got a rifled barrel and has been in the family for god knows how long. Unfortunately the ball moulds have got lost.

Gunny

An early nineteenth century percussion cap muzzle load rifle by Joseph Manton

NewRetroTom – Member

Is the inside of the barrel smooth, rifled or hexagonal?

It’s smooth. It does look somewhat similar to the pic Klunk has posted but it’s only pinned once.