A small instrument used by house-breakers to force open doors. Bring bess and glym; bring the instrument to force the door, and the dark lantern. Small flasks, like those for Florence wine, are also called betties.
2) See brown bess.
A soldier's firelock. To hug brown Bess; to carry a firelock, or serve as a private soldier. ...
Dictionary of The Vulgar Tongue by Francis Grose
a slatternly woman. North. Perhaps a corruption of TALL-BESS. ...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose
A nickname for the old government regulation bronzed musket, although till recently it was brightly ...
The Sailor's Word-Book