X-ray of a drowned Bess

[Colonial Boy]

“This is a CT scan x-ray image of a Brown Bess musket, believed to be a 1769 short land pattern, that was recovered in 2012 by LAMP (Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program) archaeologists from the Storm Wreck, a colonial period shipwreck believed to have wrecked on 31 December 1782. This vessel was likely from the final fleet to evacuate Loyalist refugees and British troops from Charleston to St. Augustine at the end of the American Revolution. The x-ray shows that this musket was loaded with the "buck and ball" commonly used by American Rebels (and in this case, by British redcoats). The Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program is the research arm of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum. Photograph should be attributed to Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program.”

 

[Britsmoothy]

The smaller shot looks to be cut lead maybe.

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
That is an excellent diagram for how a Bess of that pattern was made. Note the bolt anchoring the wrist plate also goes through the rear of the trigger plate. Just like this.

All the commercial repros have that wrong as well as most have the wrist too long.

dave

 

[brushblind]

Looks like it has a double load!

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Looks like it has a double load!

Yes, I too see 2 ‘buck’ loads … what’s up with that?

 

[Bushfire]

Buck, ball and Swan shot by the looks.

 

[X62503]

Fascinating.

 

[Varga]

Looks like the jaws might still be holding some leather and maybe a flint.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I, too, have wondered about the small shot in front of the buck and ball load. It seems to be separated by what may be a second charge of powder.

 

[2 shots]

Looks like the jaws might still be holding some leather and maybe a flint.

maybe it was glued in . very interesting to see an actual piece like that , proof positive of its use.

 

[2 shots]

colonial boy, do you know where the gun is? is it on display?

 

[Enfield1]

colonial boy, do you know where the gun is? is it on display?

The last time that I was at this museum in St. Augustine, about 2 years ago, I asked specifically about this musket and was told that all the coral and sea encrustation was still being carefully removed so that it could then be displayed. I, too, would want to know the status of this piece.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Very cool!
I always thought the ball was behind the buck shot. Not so !

 

[TDM]

That’s a great photo/X-ray for sure! Thanks @Colonial Boy !

 

[Colonial Boy]

Thanks for all the responses; I know no more about it than what I posted.
I found it whilst doing a bit of surfing.

 

[Nazgul58]

Wife and I were at Ft San Marcos in St Augustine a month ago. Very worthwhile trip.

Don

This is the entrance point. Called the Ravelin, easy to defend the entrance.

 

[Colonial Boy]

Was just wondering, might the powder still be dry?

 

[Nazgul58]

 

[Nazgul58]

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Very cool!
I always thought the ball was behind the buck shot. Not so !

It is..., in the cartridge. When you load a lot of troops would not invert the cartridge, but simply insert and allow the powder to pour by gravity while they were grabbing the rammer. Fast but can make for a problem IF the lad is ordered to pull his load, when trying to snag the cartridge with a worm.

NOT sure how they ID'd the musket to be an SLP Bess. The two loads screams "poorly trained loyalist troops" and they were not armed with the newest and best Bess. The shape of the side plate might be a clue, but the angle is off to be able to take a hard look, as the differences between the side plates can be subtle, if one cannot see if the side plate is rounded or not.

LD