One of the most historical examples of a Third Model British 'Brown Bess' musket one could hope to find. This musket is engraved directly upon the barrel '94 REGt' who were the famous 'Scotch Brigade' (the regiment titled '94 REGt' in 1803). This was a fighting regiment who took part in many historically important battles directly under the command of Lord Arthur Wellsley who later became the Duke of Wellington due in no small part to the bravery of the '94th Regt'.

True Regimentally marked British Brown Bess muskets - with regimental ownership marks definitively engraved directly upon the barrel - are rarities in first and second model Brown bess muskets. A third model Brown Bess marked directly on the barrel like this one is a truly great rarity.

The fashion of regimental identification on general issue British muskets had gone out of fashion by the late eighteenth century when the third model, or 'India Pattern' as it was known with 39" barrel, became the standard issue sidearm of the British army. We believe the 94th Regt. reinstituted this definitive marking proceedure due to the very dangerous situation the regiment was in on the Indian sub continent where government muskets were a precious commodity. The enemies of the British army were desperate for fine Government issue arms, muskets were captured in battles and skirmishes deliberately launched to aquire these arms, and a lucrative market existed for British muskets through theft and desertion. Definitive regimental markings that could not be easilly removed served an important function when arms were recaptured in battle or reclaimed from various sorts of theives......especially when resupply from England could take half a year or more.

This absolutely original '94 REGt.' musket is a standard third model, 'India Pattern' of .72 caliber, with 39" barrel, 'Tower/ GR' lock markings, heavy brass mountings, and well fashioned walnut stock. It is fully marked with the correct British government proofmarks and issue markings down to its original army inspector's marks on the stock. This musket has survived in fine original condition and must have been very well cared for throughout the battles and dangers it survived: battles in India; Seringapatam, Conaghul, Assaye, Ahmednagar, Gawilghar, and more. The regiment then went with Wellsley to Portugal to fight in all the major battles of the Peninsular Campaign against Napoleon Fuentes des honores in 1812 to toulouse in 1814!

After Napoleon's final defeat the British Government began to downsize the army and the '94 REGt.' were disbanded in Ireland, in 1818, where they had been on garrison duty. However, this musket was not finished its service. This veteran was stamped with Irish registration marks on barrel and buttplate for the county of Armagh, and 'SEAGO' parish mark on the left side of the stock and kept ready for 'home defence'.

The barrel has a fine deep brown age patina with some pitting around the touch hole as expected. the lock is in fine working condition with natural steel patina and fine markings, the brass furniture is in fine condition with good patina, and the walnut stock is in fine condition with good inspector's marks fine color, and old probably original finish. The ramrod is of the period and in matching condition but may be a field replacement. The musket is accompanied by an original 'Brown Bess' bayonet in matching condition .

Very few original arms in fine condition survive that can be definately linked to the establishment of the British Raj and defeat of Napoleon - important events in world history.

It is also very interesting to note that the well known historical novelist Bernard Cornwell , who created the literary figure Richard Sharpe, used the history of the '94 REGt.' in India as background for Sharpe's exploits in the novels, 'Sharpe's Tiger', Sharpe's Triumph, and 'Sharpe's Fortress'. We understand that a two part BBC television movie has been made based on this trilogy

Please click on the links below for more about the history of the 'Scotch Brigade - 94th REGt'.
http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/094-823.htm
http://members.ozemail.com.au/%7Eclday/94hist.htm#top

Please view the several pages of overal and detail pictures of this important musket which can be found by clicking on the top picture.

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