Original Item. Only One Available. This is a fair percussion-converted example of a Gurkha constructed Brown Bess Musket assembled at NAKKU outside Kathmandu. We imported large numbers of these that were recovered from the Palace of Lagan Silekhana, which functioned as the Royal Armory of Nepal.

The Gurkha Armies invaded British India in 1813 occupying large areas of territory. It turned out these Native soldiers were so well trained that after several "bloody noses" the British had to invade Nepal itself before peace could be agreed at the Treaty of Seguly in 1816. Thereafter Nepal fell under "BRITISH INFLUENCE" and supplied Gurkha Soldiers for the British Army which they are still doing to this day!

Britain poured in Aid of all forms after 1816 including staffing Arms Factories with Gunsmith to teach the Gurkha gun makers how to build British weapons. The first were the Brown Bess Muskets of the Third Model, with 39" barrel as used by the British East India Company since 1771 known as the WINDUS or India Pattern. Britain itself adopted this shorter 39" barrel Brown Bess third model in 1796.

Great quantities of British made E.I.C. locks were supplied to Nepal and these were mostly SANITIZED with the removal of the CROWN over G.R. British markings and replaced by a Buddhist Temple that was located right next to the old Palace where most of the 55,000 guns we purchased were stored at Lagan Silekhana. Sadly the 2015 Kathmandu Earthquake leveled most of the palace, so now it can only be visited by pictures and videos, as documented in our "Treasure is Where You Find It" documentary.

This example is in fair shape, and was converted to percussion. The lock retains markings, but they are mostly worn away and cannot be discerned. The trigger guard tang retains its markings in full. There is a fair amount of wood chipping across the stock, with nicks & scuffs across, however there is no risk to the structure of the rifle. The brass mounts are all intact and have developed a deep patina. Buttstock has some wood-worm holes which most of these had. Bore is smooth and oxidized.

The hammer functions correctly and holds at both half cock and full cock. Both sling swivels are fully retained and functional. The ram rod is still intact although it is oxidized and requires some force to remove. There is some writing carved into the buttstock, but it is difficult to discern. The front and rear sights are also intact. The buttplate is intact and undamaged.

This is a fair example of a scarce Nepalese Brown Bess, ready for further research and display.

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: Circa 1820
Caliber: .75" Musket
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 39 inches
Overall Length: 55 inches
Action: Percussion Converted
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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