32 reviews    
Item:
NB1772SW

Original British East India Company P-1771 Brown Bess Flintlock Parts Set- Nepalese Gurkha Marked Lock

Item Description

Original Item (except where specified): It is no secret that included in the extraordinary cache of arms purchased from the Royal Nepalese Armory by IMA there were a limited quantity of original 18th Century British Brown Bess Flintlock Muskets. Regrettably, they were in a deplorable condition having arrived in Nepal via the East India Company sometime before 1820 and laid undisturbed, and not cared for, since the 1850s. These Brown Bess Muskets are the East India Company Pattern of 1771 featuring a 39" barrel. The British Government adopted the 39" barrel (reduced in length from the 42 inch Short Land Pattern) in 1796. This is why these muskets are commonly referred to as "The Brown Bess India Pattern of 1796" or the Brown Bess 3rd model.

The Flintlock Locks were all made in England for the East India Company and but the original English maker markings were removed once in Gurkha hands, after 1816, and replaced with a Gurkha Nepalese crest. Because so many of the original stocks are broken, rotted and useless we have decided to offer a Restoration Set which consist of:

- Original unattached English made Flintlock lock with Gurkha Nepalese Crest Marking. Almost no cleaning efforts have been made on these locks, just a wipe to reveal the markings, and typical condition will be dirty, with rust and grime. However, no major pitting will be evident and the lock will be functional. See photos.

- Original Brown Bess 39 inch Barrel made by the East India Company in India and features Anglo Indian proof marks. Again, will arrive dirty, rusty and needing a good cleaning. However, no major defects will be present. The tang may be bent or cracked, but repairable. Barrel pin key rings may need to be repaired or replaced.

- Original all steel button nose ramrod.

- New Made unstained inleted hardwood stock, you can choose between a Windus Pattern 1771 Bannister Rail Stock (also known as the Pattern 1796 India Pattern Brown Bess Stock) or a 1808 Pattern stock. The Windus Pattern 1771 Bannister rail stock has a "rail" or "comb" at the top of the butt stock as well as a "beaver tail" raised wood area where the tang screw is inserted. The 1808 stock is like the later percussion model stocks of the early 19th century. both stocks are correct for this model musket but the Windus pattern is earlier and therefore, more reminiscent of a Long Land Pattern Brown Bess stock. Both stocks come complete with all brass mounts, butt plate, trigger guard, side plate and ramrod pipes (3) together with a new made trigger assembly.

- New Made Lock Screws (2) also know as side nails, (1) Tang Screw and one upper sling swivel.

You will then need to clean and oil all the original parts, fit the barrel into the barrel slot, install the lock into the existing inletted aperture and then fit the new made screws. These screws will almost certainly need to be fitted to the lock, meaning rethreading of the lock plate may be required. The new made wood stocks are untreated so you can stain to suit your fancy. Basic skill is required to seat the barrel and lock assemblies, fit screws, and perhaps make a repair, so bear in mind fitting, cleaning, oiling of metal parts and minor engineering will be required. We do verify that every lock is in functional and in solid condition. So please review the photographs.

Save your very own piece of British colonial history. These original parts are old enough to have taken part in the American war for Independence but they didn't, they were half a world away building an Empire. We offer this Gurkha marked Brown Bess 3rd Model in assembled complete condition for $1295, please see item NB1772C (that is a $600 savings to build one yourself!).

Please remember, that these very old guns are intended for display purposes. IMA does not recommend restoration of these antique firearms into "shooters" and any attempt to do so should be inspected by a licensed gunsmith before firing. Furthermore, please review our return policy as cleaned "untouched" parts are not eligible for return or exchange.

In order to assist in your appreciation for these old flintlocks, please review our book Guns of the Gurkhas by renowned expert John Walter. These very flintlocks are featured on pages 24-29. "It can only be concluded therefore, that the locks were all made in England prior to the end of the Napoleonic War in 1815". P29 - John Walter Guns of the Gurkhas. Simply Amazing!

Want to see and learn the step by step process of cleaning, restoring and building one of these part sets? Check out Master Gunsmith Norm Sutton's work on one of these very part sets at the British Militaria Black Powder Forum!

Watch the results of a build of one of these kits by an IMA customer-

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: 1780s-1830s
Caliber: .75" Musket
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 39 inches
Overall Length: about 55 inches (Varies)
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: These parts sets are pulled to order, so these may not be available for same-day expedited shipping, especially with hand selection. International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.

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Customer Reviews
4.8 Based on 32 Reviews
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ID
06/04/2022
Ian D.
Australia

1770 Brown Bess Musket

The Musket did not come to me directly as advertised. Border Force seized it for some reason. The Musket went from hands to hands and everyone who came into contact with the Musket wanted more money from me. In the end Border Force in Adelaide had the Musket however they would not release it to me. In the end I had to hire a company who had experience dealing with Border Force. After some time they got the Musket from Border Force. I had to pay them a lot of money and also money for putting a serial number on the Musket, which I really didn't want to do as it was going to deface the Musket. I Didn't see the packing that the Musket came in, so I didn't have the pleasure of unwrapping the Musket and new Stock. All in all a terribly expensive exercise without any of the joy of getting a historic Musket. I haven't completed the Musket and probably never will I am so disheartened.

AW
02/20/2022
AJ W.
United States

Impressive Kit!

This was a very impressive kit! I removed one star because of the stock’s poorly in-letting and the globs of wood filler that was used. The stock is probably a second, definitely not a premium stock. All of the brass was glued in with this wood filler stuff too, even sanding it down left spots on the stock that wouldn’t accept the stain. I ended up using Acraglass to fill in voids on the side plate and rear section of the lock where they routed out too much wood. (Please see the pictures attached.) I ended up using a GOFF lock that I purchased off of eBay prior to getting this kit with the Gurkha lock. The barrel and the lock was rusted and dirty, just as described. A soaking in vinegar and salt mixture cleared the rust off in short order. That’s the fun part, seeing what’s underneath that gunk. I really enjoyed doing this kit and just love my Brown Bess, like I said, it’s an impressive kit! Well worth the money!

RB
07/12/2021
RICHARD B.
United States

Completed Brown Bess

Well I took my time and finally completed and test fired it, I am still having some screws made by gun smith highly would buy this kit again.

ZF
05/27/2021
Zachary F.
United States

Good gu lots of work

Im very happy with this purches its going be a good shooter barale

MR
03/06/2021
MARK R.
United States

P-1771 Brown Bess.

Arrived on time, just what I was expecting, if not slightly better than I had thought. I was pleased with the manufacture of the stock, all looks well machined and little will need to be done to get the lock and barrel to fit correctly.

PF
12/26/2020
Peter F.
United States

Rusty Relic

Lots of rust to remove. Trying figure out how to make the stock look 200+ years old. The stock is beautiful. Lots of work ahead, but is and will be rewarding.

DO
07/01/2020
Danny O. Tarell
United States

Nepal....

The way the barrel was sitting in the remains of the old stock, I don't think anyone at IMA caught that the barrel was bent. When I went to bend it back I realized that there was a pretty nasty weakness in the metal itself. At the price, I could just as easily buy a new barrel, but I decided to run with it. Yes I am still giving a positive review because I am very pleased with the Brown Bess "musketoon" I now have. In the quest to figure out a way to keep it historical, I uncovered some awesome history which makes this "faulty" product the start of something really awesome.

International Military Antiques Original British East India Company P-1771 Brown Bess Flintlock Parts Set- Nepalese Gurkha Marked Lock ReviewInternational Military Antiques Original British East India Company P-1771 Brown Bess Flintlock Parts Set- Nepalese Gurkha Marked Lock Review
JS
05/16/2020
Jacob S.

Great project

Everything came as described. Once the rust was off its looked great. Only issues I had were the parts kit that came with it required every piece to be modified. I only wish it came with some light instructions

MJ
04/18/2020
Michael J.

Brown Bess project

I had read several reviews on these guns. They all pretty much said that the build is challenging, everything is somewhat off, not for a beginner. All true, its a process that you need to take your time with it, walk away a few times, but in the end, I ended up with a great finished product at a price much less than anything comparable. More than happy with it.

MM
03/28/2020
Mark M.

Great kit

Kit arrived in good shape. Only had a mainspring problem on the lock which was addressed immediately. Replacement lock will be coming soon

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