AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: Stlp99 on August 06, 2025, 04:07:14 AM

Title: Help with brown bess marking
Post by: Stlp99 on August 06, 2025, 04:07:14 AM

Hello all, found lots of good info on this site and was hoping to see if anyone knows what the number 52 under crown is (picture attached). Based on my reading here it may just be a mark of the inspector. Thank you

(https://i.ibb.co/N2Kkg6mL/20250726-104030-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nMjVqsnD)

Title: Re: Help with brown bess marking
Post by: Mattox Forge on August 06, 2025, 04:37:02 AM

It is indeed an inspectors marking.

Mike

Title: Re: Help with brown bess marking
Post by: smart dog on August 06, 2025, 02:42:34 PM

Hi,
Your lock was made by Job Wilkes of Birmingham  1806-1818.

dave

Title: Re: Help with brown bess marking
Post by: Stlp99 on August 07, 2025, 10:14:44 PM

Thank you smart dog. That is a very precise date range - may I ask where you found this? I'd love to read up on this.

Title: Re: Help with brown bess marking
Post by: smart dog on August 09, 2025, 08:38:02 PM

Hi,
Get a copy of Bailey's "British Board of Ordnance Small Arms Contractors".  It is a great resource.

dave

Title: Re: Help with brown bess marking
Post by: Stlp99 on August 11, 2025, 05:40:57 PM

Thank you