SEAN MONEY
Credit: The Charleston Museum
The Charleston Museum, America’s First Museum, recently acquired a “Brown Bess” musket and folding cot from the Revolutionary War era. Both artifacts will be featured in a special exhibit next year in commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The Land Pattern “Brown Bess” – the nickname given to the muzzle-loaded flintlock in the 18th century – served as the standard weapon of the British infantry for more than a century and was regularly carried by both American and British troops during the Revolutionary War. The musket acquired by the Charleston Museum is a Short Land Pattern variation – so named for the model’s 42” barrel, four inches shorter than the original model – and is marked “Dublin/Castle,” indicating it was produced at an armory in Ireland that supplied weapons for the Royal government. Its muzzle-loading system required each round to be pushed down the barrel before firing; the process meant that even highly trained soldiers could only fire three shots per minute. The ramrod in the acquired musket does not fit down the entire length of the barrel, indicating that an object, possibly a musket ball, is lodged in the barrel. Museum curatorial staff plan to investigate further.
SEAN MONEY
Credit: The Charleston Museum
The Museum has also acquired a folding camp bed, or cot, commonly used by officers of both the American and British armies. The head and footboards are removable, allowing the bed to be easily folded and transported by wagon. While most soldiers slept on garrison floors or on the ground during the war, folding beds were reserved for those of higher ranks.
“The ‘Brown Bess’ musket and the camp cot provide insight to the practical aspects of military life during the Revolutionary War, and together, highlight the human experience behind the battle for independence,” Museum Director Carl Borick said. “We hope these artifacts will inspire curiosity, dialogue, and reflection as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary.”
The Charleston Museum’s permanent exhibit dedicated to the Revolutionary War, “Becoming Americans,” allows visitors to learn about events and battles that transpired in the Charleston area, including the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, which resulted in an unexpected and uplifting victory for the American cause.
For more information about the Charleston Museum and its historic houses, visit www.charlestonmuseum.org.
