Have a look at some photographs of my original India Pattern Musket (Brown Bess) does the branding in the stock mean anything to a Canadian member, as far as I can ascertain it was one of 3000 sent by the Tower of London to arm the Militia in Canada when the war of 1812 was about to kick off
It was made by Robert Wheeler in 1799 Tower Proofed etc.
The Tower of London couldn't supply the Militia in Canada with muskets from stock so they purchased any muskets of the correct calibre (.750") from any of the London gunmakers just to fulfil the request for arms from Canada.
I suspect it was a weapon captured by the Americans and kept as a war trophy as I purchased it from New England and it's shows very little sign of being used.
The top line of the brand is obvoiusly J Simpson
But the bottom line is I don't have a clue what it means if it means anything!
Link to albums which the photographs of the Musket are in: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fronte...7625353053007/