Brown Bess (British Land Pattern Musket)
British Board of Ordnance · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1722
Also known as: Land Pattern Musket, Long Land Pattern, Short Land Pattern, India Pattern, Sea Service Musket
Overview
The Brown Bess is the common name for the British Land Pattern Musket, a family of .75 caliber flintlock smoothbore muskets that served as the standard British infantry firearm from 1722 to the 1830s. Produced under the British Board of Ordnance at the Tower of London and by contractors, it appeared in Long Land, Short Land, India and New Land patterns. The Brown Bess fired a roughly one-ounce lead ball at low velocity and, being smoothbore, was effective only at short range, relying on massed volley fire by ranked infantry.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4800 g (169.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1490 mm (58.66") |
| Barrel Length | 1067 mm (42.01") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Flintlock |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Muzzle Velocity | 305 m/s (1001 fps) |
| Effective Range | 46 m (50 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 274 m (300 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 3 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | None |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Russet Brown |
Calibers
- .75 Caliber Musket Ball · primary — also known as 0.75 in, 11-bore ball, .71 lead ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Features: Smoothbore Barrel, Muzzle Loaded, Brass Furniture, Socket Bayonet Lug, Ramrod
Variants
- Long Land Pattern — Barrel Length
- Short Land Pattern — Barrel Length
- India Pattern — Barrel Length
Service history
Operators
- British Army · adopted 1722 · as Land Pattern Musket
- Continental Army / United States
Conflicts
- Seven Years' War (1756-1763)
- American Revolutionary War (1775-1783)
- Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815)
- War of 1812 (1812-1815)
Production
Estimated total produced: 4,000,000 · Production years: 1722-1860s
Total across all patterns; India Pattern alone exceeded 3 million. Committee design by the Board of Ordnance with many contract makers.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Discontinued: 1860
Notes
Specifications listed are for the Short Land Pattern; barrel and overall length vary by pattern (Long Land 46 in barrel, India Pattern 39 in). Muzzle velocity figures for period smoothbores are approximate.
Background
The nickname 'Brown Bess' is thought to derive from the brown walnut stock and the russet-browned finish of the barrel; it became a generic term of affection among British soldiers, with 'to hug Brown Bess' meaning to serve as an infantryman.