Brown Bess stock drop at heel

[lexington1]

There has been a lot of discussion about the drop in Brown Bess stocks, so the nerd side of me had to measure the ones in my collection.

1. 1742 Pattern, lock by Jordan 1746 - 2 1/2"
2. Watkin commercial Bess, made 1745 or prior - 2 1/8"
3. Wilson commercial Bess, wooden rod - 1 3/8"
4. Wilson commercial Bess, steel rod - 2 5/8"
5. Marine/Militia 1757 Pattern, wood rod - 2 1/2"
6. 1769 Pattern, Dublin Castle for 17th Reg't - 1 7/8"
7. 1769 Pattern, Dublin Castle, 20th Reg't - 2 3/4"
8. 1777 Pattern, Tower, 19th Reg't - 2"
9. 1777 Pattern, Tower - 1 1/2"
10. Liege 1777 Pattern - 2 5/8"
11. Rifle Shoppe 1742 - 3"
12. Pedersoli Grice - 2 3/4"
13. G.L. Jones 1730 Pattern - 2 1/2"

 

[dave_person]

Hi Wesley,
Nice data. Are all the rest not marked TRS or Pedersoli originals? The drop at heel varies a lot. All of the 1742's I have in my notes (the earliest pattern I've had to handle) have drop at heel between 2 and 2 1/4". My measurements are based on a line resting on top of the breech but parallel with the bore. The later patterns I've measured were between 1 3/4 to 2". The Dublin Castle pattern 1769 Bess I am building has 2 1/4" drop at heel. The Pedersoli Bess in my possession has a drop of just shy of 2".

dave

 

[lexington1]

Hi Dave: Yes, the first ten on the list are originals. I think that this Pedersoli I have may not have the original stock on it. I bought it with a set of parts that I had assumed were from a kit, but now I'm not sure. I know the rest of the stuff I got was definately Pedersoli. I changed it all to first model stuff when I built it for my fantasy/commercial Bess.
I measured mine by putting a yardstick on top of the barrel, parallel to the bore, and measuring down to the heel.
The ones with the least amount of drop were practically impossible to sight along. The TRS Bess was by far the most comfortable for me to sight. I was surprised that there was so much variation in the Wilsons.

 

[smoothshooter]

There has been a lot of discussion about the drop in Brown Bess stocks, so the nerd side of me had to measure the ones in my collection.

1. 1742 Pattern, lock by Jordan 1746 - 2 1/2"
2. Watkin commercial Bess, made 1745 or prior - 2 1/8"
3. Wilson commercial Bess, wooden rod - 1 3/8"
4. Wilson commercial Bess, steel rod - 2 5/8"
5. Marine/Militia 1757 Pattern, wood rod - 2 1/2"
6. 1769 Pattern, Dublin Castle for 17th Reg't - 1 7/8"
7. 1769 Pattern, Dublin Castle, 20th Reg't - 2 3/4"
8. 1777 Pattern, Tower, 19th Reg't - 2"
9. 1777 Pattern, Tower - 1 1/2"
10. Liege 1777 Pattern - 2 5/8"
11. Rifle Shoppe 1742 - 3"
12. Pedersoli Grice - 2 3/4"
13. G.L. Jones 1730 Pattern - 2 1/2"

I think you mean drop at heel.

 

[lexington1]

You are right!

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Nice information. To be able to more accurately compare, are all the exact same length of pull? If not, do you have those measurements to accompany?

 

[FlinterNick]

The best british musket for comfort in my opinion is the queen ann musket. I held one by john bosh, it was very much like a fowler.