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 4" Brown Bess with New Land Pattern Shoulders

OA 544mm Bl 428mm Sl 101.5mm Mrd 23mm Sm 51mm Bw 30.5mm

This is an interesting variation on the standard bess as it has the New Land Pattern (Streamlined) Shoulders.

It is not known if this was ever officially issued or whether it was an innovation within the bayonet trade to keep there bayonets in line with the New Land Pattern,  it is only known to have been made by two makers,  Dawes, 12 examples known,  including one with a 'Crown' '4' inspection stamp,  this may indicate inspection by the East India Company rather than the Board of Ordnance (See note at bottom of page of c.1796-1819 BO India Pattern Bayonet).  One example is known made by Woolley&Deakin and dated 1803.

 

     

Blade marked with maker 'DAWES' and a 'H' only,  no official ordnance inspection marks.  The blade shoulders are of New Land pattern. 

(1) British & Commonwealth bayonets by Ian D Skennerton and Robert Richardson,  page 396,  ISBN 0 949749 04 4