The Brown Bess Cavalry Carbine,Issued to British cavalry units during the Napoleonic Wars up to 1838

The Brown Bess Cavalry Carbine,Issued to British cavalry units during the Napoleonic Wars up to 1838, the Brown Bess Cavalry Carbine was the shortest, smallest, and lightest musket of the Brown Bess series.  In fact, it would probably fall into the category of “musketoon”.  Overall length was 42.5 inches, while weight was around 7.4 lbs.  By comparison its infantry counterpart, the “India Pattern” Brown Bess was a foot longer and over two pounds heavier.Because of its compact size and light weight, the Brown Bess Cavalry Carbine was ideal for cavalry units.  They were especially popular among dragoons, a type of unit consisting of mounted infantry who rode to battle on horseback, but dismounted and fought as infantry once in combat.  By the late 1830’s the flintlock igniting mechanism gave to way to the percussion system.  Many Brown Bess Cavalry carbines were converted into percussion locks.  Production ended in 1838, and was replaced with the more advanced M1842 pattern percussion musket. -- source link

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