This is an original Brown Bess musket. It is the India Pattern model identified by its 39-inch-long barrel as compared to the Short Land and Long-Land Patterns with their 42- and 46-inch long barrels. The India Pattern was named as such as the rifles built to these specs were originally built for the East India Company rather than the British Army. The India Pattern was eventually adopted by the British Army and served roughly between 1797 and 1854. The Brown Bess was considered the world-standard for infantry arms for many years. The older Long Land Pattern was commonly used by both sides during the American War of Independence. One is known to have been used at the Battle of Shiloh during the American Civil War in 1862. Some were even used by Zulu warriors in the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879, long after the musket had become effectively obsolete. The side plate of this rifle is clearly marked with the Crown and the word “Tower”, indicating its production by the Tower of London Arsenal. The rifle has clearly seen some use as can be expected of a rifle nearly 200 years old. There is naturally some wear on the barrel’s external surface. The bore is in good condition despite with some wear, including some light rust. It would clean up rather nicely though. The stock is in remarkably good condition for its age. There is a small hairline surface crack on the right side behind the plate. It does not appear to pose any threat to the stock. Mechanically, the rifle is in excellent shape and it feels like it left the arsenal yesterday. The barrel has the correct proof marks. The ramrod is correct and original to the rifle. Given its age, I would not recommend firing it. It would certainly make a nice addition to someone’s collection.