Short Land Pattern Musket

British Redcoats with Short Land Pattern Muskets, 1:72 IMEX 512.

The Short Land Pattern Musket, popularly known as “Brown Bess”, was first issued to British dragoons in 1740. From 1768, the Short Land Pattern Musket supplemented the Long Land Pattern Musket of the infantry, becoming the standard infantry musket from 1793, until it was superseded by the India Pattern Musket in 1797.

While the IMEX British Redcoats are lovely figures, their 18 to 19 mm muskets fall way short even of the British Short Land Pattern Musket, which needs to be 21 mm long in 1:72 scale. The converted Airfix 1:76 scale British Fusilier has been given a longer than usual bayonet in an attempt to mimik the Long Land Pattern Musket. Notice, too, that the 1:76 scale Airfix figure is taller than his nominally bigger 1:72 scale brothers in arms.

Technical Specifications

  • Short Land Pattern Musket
  • Type: muzzle-loading smoothbore Flintlock Musket
  • Overall Length: 58.5 inches (1,486 mm)
  • Barrel Length: 42 inches (1,067 mm)
  • Calibre: .75 to .80 inches (19 to 20 mm)
  • Bayonet: 17-inch triangular cross-section Blade, 4-inch cylindrical Shank
  • In Service: 1740–1797

Small Arms