In fact one might argue the Brown Bess flintlock, is the longest in-use firearm pattern in the history of humanity. From 1728 until the American Civil War, it was a viable military arm, with the 10th Tennessee being armed with flintlock 3rd model Bess muskets when they were first formed, although many other states had 3rd model Bess which had been converted to caplock.
From the era of the American Civil War, the Bess was traded to North American Indians, Asian Indians, Afghans, Nepalese, and to Africans. The question then arises, did the Bess ever completely stop?
The surplus 3rd models on the market today, come in some cases from Nepal, where they were stored in government arsenals. Some were maintained in firing condition. I know of at least one maker of reproduction Bess muskets that can show a they made original 3rd models for the [British] East India Trading Company..., and they claim that they continued making them for the civilian market, especially for hunting, because Indians were often prohibited by the British from owning breech loading, modern firearms.
IF that's true then the Bess was still in use when the Italians, and later the Japanese, began making their reproduction pieces. The Italians continue the Bess to this day, as do several places in India.
So as a pattern, the Bess in flintlock appears to have the longest life span of any gun in history.
LD
