British Model 1722 Land Pattern .75 Caliber Musket

By Crusader1307

Developed in England around 1722 (and in continual service until 1838), this weapon was the workhorse of not only The British Army, but many others. There were 4 variations of this rifle (each having a newer innovation). The Land Pattern, Short Land Pattern, India Pattern, New Land Pattern and Sea Service Musket. The weapon was a 75-caliber flintlock, weighing around 10 to 11 pounds. She was 62 inches long. Having a non-rifled barrel, it's maximum effective range was around 50 to 100 yards. The Land Pattern had a socket attachment (slipped over the barrel and locked) – for a bayonet. The bayonet was a triangular shaped, 17 inch sharped steel stabbing weapon. Most of the weapons metal components were made of iron. Nicknamed “The Brown Bess”, this name has never been truly proven as having been related to Queen Elizabeth I. Many theories abound, including “Bess”” being derived from the older “Bus” from The Arquebus Matchlock. The term “Brown” may simply denote the rifle stock color. While a highly effective weapon (regardless of it shot distance) – especially in great numbers (via a volley), the Land Pattern being a flintlock weapon, still suffered from issues resulting from bad weather (rain and snow).