As seen at the Alamo today....

A 42" barrel Short Land Pattern Brown Bess (actually the longer of the two muskets) as compared to the later 39" barrel India Pattern Brown Bess, the last major incarnation of that famous musket.

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These guys who volley fire 'em every day for the tourists much prefer the India Pattern, they say that mere 3" difference in barrel length makes the India Pattern surprisingly easier to load at speed.

"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744