Because the war increased the number of U.S. troops in the field, in 1814 a second batch of rifles, similar to the first but with 36-inch barrels, was authorized. Few probably saw service during the conflict. Production was kept up until 1820, by which time some 14,000 guns had been manufactured.

There were also other limited numbers of rifles turned out by different builders, with varying styles and embellishment, such as one I saw recently made at the Virginia Manufactory c. 1805 which had a wonderful patchbox in the shape of a coiled rattlesnake.

Federal, militia and volunteer rifle units took the field during the War of 1812, but because of the specialized nature and added cost of their arms, not to mention the extra time it took to train a rifleman versus that of a regular infantryman, they were seen in far fewer numbers than the men carrying smoothbores. As in the American Revolution, despite the oftentimes rugged terrain in which a battle would be fought, the older-style European tactics favoring smoothbore muskets were still maintained.

American mounted troops served in some numbers c. 1812-1815, but no specific carbine was specifically manufactured for their use. The same holds true for artillerymen who requested carbines, but none were forthcoming, and they generally had to rely on the longer muskets.

The British
While it is convenient to think the only troops fighting the Americans during the War of 1812 were British regulars, such was definitely not the case. Yankees had to contend with Indians, Canadian militia and Canadian volunteers along with Redcoats.

Like the Americans, many of the Canadians were using civilian arms as well as older French and British military muskets, the most common of which was the much-vaunted English Brown Bess.

Actually the term “Brown Bess” is a sobriquet for the regulation British flintlock smoothbore infantry musket that first appeared in the second quarter of the 18th century and continued as an issue arm for almost a century. Officially called the “King’s Arm” or “ Land Pattern musket” it went through an evolution, resulting in three basic patterns, the Long Land with a 46-inch barrel, Short Land with a 42-inch barrel and India Pattern with 39-inch barrel. Other features were also changed or altered, generally as manufacturing shortcuts or cost savings.

Where the term “Brown Bess” came from is lost to history though it appeared as early as 1785 and continued as a nom de guerre right up to the gun’s demise. By the time of the Napoleonic Wars the refined Short Land pattern was simply too time-consuming to manufacture, so the Board of Ordnance decided to equip the troops with the simple but robust India Pattern, so called because it had originally been designed as a gun for the troops of the British East India Company.

Unlike French pattern firelocks, which featured removable barrel bands, the Bess had its barrel pinned to a full-length walnut stock. Hardware, to include the buttplate, fore-end cap, sideplate and trigger guard were of brass. The robust lockplate featured a gooseneck cock, which was changed to a sturdier, reinforced style in 1809. The gun was finished in the bright, despite its nickname.

Besses were furnished with a triangular socket bayonet with a 17-inch blade. It was secured to the barrel by means of a stud on the top of the muzzle, which also served as a front sight, though like the Model 1785 there was no rear sight, aiming, such as it was, being most easily effected by lining up the stud with a midpoint at the breech.

While most of the Canadian militia and Crown forces already in North America probably carried a conglomeration of earlier model Besses, troops arriving in the United States during the war—including those that burned Washington—unquestionably carried Indias.

British rifle troops in the form of the 3rd Battalion, 95th Regiment of Foot, arrived on the scene late in the war after their service in Spain and Portugal. They had a presence in only a couple of engagements, the Battle of Villere Plantation and the Battle of New Orleans, but brought with them what was probably the finest military rifle of the period; what we now call the Baker Rifle.

At the time, this rugged, well-built arm was known officially as the “Infantry Rifle,” the later “Baker” appellation being given in tribute to gunmaker Ezekiel Baker who had considerable input into the gun’s design and adoption. With an overall length of 46 1/4 inches and a 30-inch, 0.625-cal. barrel of either twist or plain iron, the gun exuded serviceability. Furniture was of brass, including a butt box, which contained compartments for tools and greased patches. At the muzzle it was equipped with a notched bar to mount a brass-handled, 32-inch-bladed sword bayonet. In fact the British Rifles even today call their bayonets “swords” in tribute to this early edged weapon.

Baker’s sights included a blade front and folding leaf rear, which was set to 100 and 200 yards. The full-length walnut stock incorporated a generous cheekpiece. Locks were of carbine size and, depending upon the model, cocks could either be goosenecked or reinforced. Like the Brown Bess’ lockplate markings included the sovereign’s monogram (“GR” for “Georgius Rex”—King George III), “TOWER” and the date. Barrels were browned and other parts, to include the false breech and lock, case-hardened—altogether an extremely handsome arm, that was highly esteemed by the men who used it.

The earlier years of the war did not go well for the Americans, but as troops became more seasoned and younger, more progressive officers emerged, things began to turn around. By the time both sides had decided they were finished, Britain, at first thinking she would have the upper hand in peace negotiations, came to realize that such was not the case and had to settle for what ultimately turned out to be a draw.

Interestingly enough, because of the time it took to get information to America from Europe, the most famous land engagement, the Battle of New Orleans, was actually fought after the ratification of the treaty of Ghent in 1815. For Americans, though, the news of this lopsided battle (approximately 300 Americans killed, wounded and missing versus some 2,500 British, including the death of British commander Gen. Edward Pakenham) came prior to the notification of the treaty, and they associated Andrew Jackson’s stunning victory with the favorable terms of peace and it has been extolled as a great feat of American arms ever since.

While not one of America’s best remembered conflicts, The War of 1812 solidified the United States’ presence in the family of nations. Experiences with the heavy reliance on militia also proved to the Yankees, that despite earlier misgivings, it was important to maintain a reasonable permanent national army, and from that point on—though there would be ups and downs—the federal government would begin to take preeminence in things military.

View the Firearms of the War of 1812 Photo Gallery