AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: lexington1 on August 28, 2013, 12:14:06 AM

Title: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: lexington1 on August 28, 2013, 12:14:06 AM

This is a Wilson 1st Model Brown Bess that has a strange carving on the buttstock. I've racked my brain trying to figure out what it could mean. Does anybody have any ideas?

(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi155.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fs316%2Ftheresasink%2FWilson%2520Bess%2FIMG_4320_zps701eb65b.jpg&hash=a71951a8a87d0d908303915875e46247c9f4a681) (http://s155.photobucket.com/user/theresasink/media/Wilson%20Bess/IMG_4320_zps701eb65b.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: Avlrc on August 28, 2013, 12:26:27 AM

PV , may be for Private. the last two initials his name.

Or maybe P----Volunteers..

Just guessing, cause I don't have a clue.

Why does those old English Guns have worm holes? I had a couple that had those. Made for a lighter musket , for sure ;D

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: Fullstock longrifle on August 28, 2013, 01:19:30 AM

Have you tried an English forum Wes, I bet someone over there can tell you the meaning of the letters. By the way, they are well done and make a nice addition to the gun.
Frank

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: Buck on August 28, 2013, 01:27:00 AM

Maybe a Latin abbreviation?
Buck

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: heelerau on August 28, 2013, 01:53:44 AM

 Mate PM me and I will  place it on the British Militaria forums, their are a lot of ver knowledgable chap there who may be able to shed some light on this musket.

cheers

gordon

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: mr. no gold on August 28, 2013, 02:13:23 AM

Have you looked in the book on the Brown Bess by Erik Goldstein and Stuart Mowbray about this gun? They pretty well cover the subject and failing finding anything in their book contact either one or both about your gun. Mowbray is a publisher and Goldstein works at Colonial Williamsburg.
Dick

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: lexington1 on August 28, 2013, 04:13:57 AM

Thanks for the help, so far guys! That's a good idea Frank. I never thought about giving that a try  :)

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: Bill of the 45th on August 28, 2013, 10:56:33 PM

Are you sure it' an original, and that maybe  Mike Brooks didn't make it.  It looks like some of his work. ;D

Bill

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: lexington1 on August 28, 2013, 11:12:23 PM

I was a little suspicious when I found birdshot at the bottom of the wormholes, lol  ;D

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: Mike Brooks on August 28, 2013, 11:55:47 PM

Not mine, but gave me some good ideas! ;D

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: oakridge on August 29, 2013, 07:42:25 AM

I guess we'll soon see a lot of new guns with worm holes.

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: Frank Barker on August 29, 2013, 04:54:31 PM

I think Jackie Brown has already beat you to those wormy guns.   ;)

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: heelerau on September 23, 2013, 02:44:16 PM

Lexington, I have just managed to post a photo of your 1st Mod Wilson Brown Bess on the British Militaria Forums, should not be to long to get a reply, you would be able to look. Sorry it took me a while

Cheers

heelerau ::)

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: Eric Krewson on September 23, 2013, 04:36:03 PM

I know absolutely nothing about authenticating vintage firearms but suspect the worm holes are fake. Powder post beetles do tremendous damage inside a piece of wood, that many holes and the stock should just about fall apart.

Here is what happens inside a piece of wood after the initial hole is drilled by a beetle.

(https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v181/ekrewson/bow%20making/powderpostdamage.jpg) (https://smg.photobucket.com/user/ekrewson/media/bow%20making/powderpostdamage.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: Avlrc on September 23, 2013, 05:24:55 PM

Them holes look legit to me.

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: Bill Paton on September 23, 2013, 05:57:28 PM

I, too, think the holes are legitimate European worm holes. I have seen those on a good many European walnut stocks. I am certain they are a different species than Eric's powder post beetles. In my experience, those tiny holes don't always weaken the stock badly, and make me think of old original wood. Being a collector of "history" more then "condition", I love that carved stock with all the worm holes, and admire your research efforts. Good going and good luck divining the letters' meaning.  Bill Paton

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: lexington1 on September 23, 2013, 06:19:54 PM

Thanks guys. The holes are most definitely not fake!

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: Fullstock longrifle on September 23, 2013, 10:19:14 PM

Quote from: Avlrc on September 23, 2013, 05:24:55 PM

Them holes look legit to me.

Me too.
Frank

Title: Re: Strange carving on First Model Brown Bess
Post by: jdm on September 24, 2013, 12:53:09 AM

Take a small wire and put it into the hole. Drills make straight holes bugs and worms don't.