bess n.2
a firelock or musket.
![[Ire]](/static/img/flags/ire.png "Ireland") | Dublin Eve. Mail 30 Aug. 4/4: [from Times (London)] The musket-rifle (improperly called ‘Minie’) being constructed on more scientific principles, ‘fairly beats poor Bess out of the field’ . | |
| , , | ![[UK]](/static/img/flags/uk.png "United Kingdom") | Sl. Dict. |
a firelock or musket.
| Dublin Eve. Mail 30 Aug. 4/4: [from Times (London)] The musket-rifle (improperly called ‘Minie’) being constructed on more scientific principles, ‘fairly beats poor Bess out of the field’ . | |
| , , | | Sl. Dict. |