So I have been over at ambroseauction’s web site and I see that even by the third patter Bess the butt of the arms are more akin to what we would see and recognize today. The French pattern seems to have arrived there earlier.
Now, I understand that the martial arms were sending heavier balls that the civilian arms but, why such a drastic difference in shape and pitch.
It would seem that even if the civilian market were shooting lighter loads the recoil would be even less noticeable.
I understand there may have been differences in shooting styles but... the human body is pretty much the same.
