Long Arms of Homeland Security: the Brown Bess

Brown Bess in its various patterns was the official issue musket for the British Empire from 1720s to 1830s. It's one of the most common firearms made before the 20th century. Reenactor actor Houston McPherson explains the finer points of operating this weapon.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• musket
• rifle
• flintlock
• firearm
• black
• powder
• smoothbore
• bayonet
• charge
• attack
• soldier
• Redcoat
• British
• army
• Empire
• reenactor
• smoke
• Weapon

[SamHagagaga]

Wouldn't the light infantry be using rifles?

[olegvolk]

@SamHagagaga After 1830 or so, and en masse after 1850.

[heintron]

Awesome guy, interesting topic, horrible editing.

[olegvolk]

@heintron Feel free to email me suggestions for improvement.

[Mikitsubizunizu]

I love the charge he did. Cracked me up.

[95thFoot]

@rspsych0 The British did indeed use rifles occasionally in the American revolution. Major Patrick Ferguson's Rifle Corps used a couple hundred Ferguson Rifles, a breechloader that was a modified French/ Dutch design of decades before, as well as the 1776 Infantry Rifle (about 800 or so). The British also used Loyalist American units of riflemen. Additionally, there were hired German rifle units of "Jaeger", used to deadly effect against Washington's troops, from 1776 to 1783.

[95thFoot]

Oleg, there are a lot better people you can use than this gentleman. His presentation is outdated, from his poorly fitting, poorly constructed incorrect uniform (from a reenactment group in Georgia, I believe) to his drill, manual of arms and a lot of his "facts" are just....well, I'd really like to see his sources for his assertions.

[heintron]

@olegvolk When you cut to a new scene like 3:03 for example. Could have done with a bit of a smoother cut. Volume at 3:10, cut at 3:12, and so on.

[rspsych0]

@SamHagagaga The British didn't use Rifles until Napoleon. The lights still used the Bess.

[TheHiddenPart]

that's some quality stuff. Loved it.

[jeffshootsstuff]

Nice vid. Thanks!