Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A name given to the regulation bronzed flintlock musket formerly used in the British army.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A nickname of unknown origin for the British Army's Land Pattern Musket and its derivatives, standard issue weapon for British soldiers in the American Revolution.
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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The British musket, called the Brown Bess, as well as the hunting and fowling pieces of the colonists, were mostly smooth-bore flintlocks or, in some cases, wheel locks.
ONE SHOT-ONE KILL CHARLES W. SASSER CRAIG ROBERTS 1990
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Currently, a firearm popularly known as the Brown Bess and often used during battlefield scenes violates the state's gun possession laws.
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It was far superior to the crude "Brown Bess" issued to his men.
A Place Called Freedom Follett, Ken 1995
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"Brown Bess" is as good as a rifle; for he would only throw the ball of either at random.
The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 04, No. 24, October, 1859 Various
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Remember how long the now all-but-forgotten "Brown Bess" kept the field against the adversary which has since proved her immeasurable superior; and let the future prove that past experience has not been entirely thrown away.
Lands of the Slave and the Free Cuba, the United States, and Canada Henry A. Murray
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'At the "Brown Bess,"' murmured the boy ungraciously, and hurried out.
The History of David Grieve Humphry Ward 1885
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"Brown Bess" as a weapon of offence and defence; but matters could no longer be deferred.
James Nasmyth: Engineer, An Autobiography. Nasmyth, James 1885
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I worked on the Battle of Waterloo, and my job was to reload the Brown Bess muskets – the only time the audience realised it was live was when somebody leant on a button and plunged the whole studio into blackout.
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It came from a woman called “Brown Bess” and read as follows:
Changing your name to Seacole will eradicate your inner racist 2009
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The second wave of French cavalry charges across the Minden heath where a thin red line of British and Brown Bess await them.
Minden - 250th Anniversary Der Alte Fritz 2009
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