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Lyman Bess

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Had to do some head scratching and a little searching on this question. As I understand it, these Brown Bess repro's were made in Japan in the 60's/early 70's and thus maybe/probably made by Miroku. The caliber on these were often smaller than the original British Bore size of .76 caliber and were often different sizes, though around .71 or .72 seems to have been common back then.

Gus
 
In the early 70's Navy Arms marketed two Brown Bess muskets. The standard was called "Brown Bess Musket Model 1776", was .75 caliber and almost certainly Italian. They also marketed one called the "Model 1778 Brown Bess" that was listed as .70 caliber and "American-made"...by who was never mentioned. No idea if this is what you refer to but I would have thought Lyman would have been selling the imported versions like everyone else then, including Dixie, Arms International, Intercontinental Arms and probably others. These were almost definitely the Pedersoli made version of that period.
 
Can you post a photo of the marking, or if not can you compare it online to the company logo to see if they match? It wouldn't be too far fetched for some reenactor in the 1970's to stamp his name on his barrel so he could tell the muskets apart, and he happened to have the same last name as a black powder company. Is there a serial number on the barrel, and is it adjacent to the name?
:idunno:

LD
 
It's actually for sale on GB. Quite a few pics and it looks decent, but I think it's overpriced.
 
Ah yes, I found it. That's a Japanese Bess, made by Miroku, and sold by Lyman. It looks in very good shape.

BTW it also, "Comes with a reproduction bayonet that was made in India which fits the gun well, as well as the bayonet scabbard and sling."

So they normally back then didn't come with sling swivels or the holes drilled for them, and no sling, and you get a bayonet and scabbard too. So with shipping $840 total would be the top price that I'd offer to buy it with no images of the interior of the bore and no mention of an "inspection period" to check the bore. IF the bore is really good it might, just might, be worth $50 more...so it's priced about right (imho).

LD
 
That company makes some high quality firearms, all the high end browning shotguns are made there.
 
backwater said:
That company makes some high quality firearms, all the high end browning shotguns are made there.

I got to handle a Lyman Bess a few years back. Don't recall a thing about the bore diameter, but I was impressed with the build quality. On par or even better than my own older Pedersoli Bess. It set of my covet gland for sure, but the owner wouldn't consider parting with it.
 
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