Original Item: Possibly One of a Kind. This is an incredible collector's opportunity! Here we have a lovely well-patinated French Modèle 1754 Marine Flintlock Musket, which is perhaps the only one still in existence. French Antique Firearms reference books contain some mention of this model, but neither images nor listings existing examples of this model. We have checked around, and as best we can tell there are no other known examples of this scarce model made for French naval shipboard use during the Seven Years War, one theater of which was the French & Indian War in North America.

The musket is all brass fitted, as we would expect with one intended for Naval use, and the brass trigger guard was never drilled for a sling swivel, further solidifying use at sea. While there is a sling swivel bolster on the middle barrel band, we see no evidence that one was ever installed, as onboard ships leather slings would quickly deteriorate. The oxidized and past pitting on the barrel is also indicative of service at sea, where the corrosive salt spray would rapidly degrade iron and steel.

The musket features a rounded buttplate, just like the Modèle 1754 Dragoon musket, however it features a brass center band, that, with the full length 46 1/2 inch long barrel, distinguishes it from the Model 1754 Dragoon musket. The muzzle band has a triangular reinforced trumpeted opening for the ramrod also similar to that of the Model 1754 Dragoon musket, although the back of the band differs in shape. The center band spring-retained and identical to the iron 1754 Infantry musket's band with an integral sling swivel mount, except in this case, the center band is of brass. The rearmost band is pressure fitted and also of brass.

The smoothbore barrel on the musket is about 0.74" bore, though it may have been enlarged a bit at the muzzle due to use and corrosion. It has the typical Mle 1754 faceted breech section measuring 7 1/2 inches long, and a tapered top flat extending to the muzzle band. There is an iron bayonet lug mounted on top, towards the muzzle. The French Model 1754 lock looks to possibly have a very fainted Saint-Étienne Arsenal marking, as well as IF next to a Crowned C proof, along with other proofs, though unfortunately due to past oxidation they are not completely legible. We also checked the barrel breech area, and there are traces of markings, but they are too pitted to read. The full-length walnut stock has the initials I L carved into the left side of the buttstock indicating colonial or early American use.

The musket is in very good condition, especially considering the harsh environment it was used in, which is also a good reason why no other examples of these exist. The barrel retains a dark heavy patina and scattered pitting, which is a bit worse nearer the breech due to powder burn. The lock is still in its original flintlock configuration, though it does look to have had some repairs in the past to the pan to fix erosion from powder and sea exposure.

The brass fittings still have a lovely dark brown-mustard patina and have not been polished, showing scattered marks from use. The stock shows a lovely aged dark color, and the expected age cracks, small chips and scattered marks and bruises from use. The area near the top of the butt stock in particular shows degradation, probably from sea water exposure. We did not note any major cracks or other structural damage.

This is a fantastic collector's opportunity to obtain an extremely rare and desirable French Naval Musket, perhaps the last remaining example of the Modèle 1754 in this configuration. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:-
Year of Manufacture: circa 1755
Bore Diameter: about .74"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 46 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 62 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

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IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

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Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.