Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available- as used in the American Revolution and Napoleonic war. Once as numerous as Brown Bess Muskets the French equivalent was referred to as the CHARLEVILLE Musket. However, Charleville was only one of the manufacturing Arsenals, the predominant one being St. Étienne. The design was first introduced in 1717, and went through numerous versions over the years such as the 1763 and 1766 variants, which were supplied in some quantities to the American Colonies during the Revolutionary War.
This example is a Modèle 1768/73 Musket, typical of the pattern from just before the American revolution as France undertook a massive upgrading of earlier weapons in their arsenal. This type of musket is described in the book Battle Weapons of the American Revolution by George C. Neumann on page 94, item 44.MM FRENCH INFANTRY MUSKET. Such weapons were definitely in the inventory of American Colonists during the French and Indian war as well as the American Revolutionary War. This example may have then stayed in a Federal or State arsenal for decades, until it was later upgraded to the percussion system, probably in the 1850s. Definitely a musket with an impressive and long history!
This example has all steel mounts, as brass mounts were generally only used for Naval issue. The lock is clearly marked with Mf. de Maubeuge, for manufacture at the government arsenal located in Maubeuge, France, today along the Northern border with Belgium. As stated above there is also a Fleur-de-Lis / CROWN / H proof, indicating government ownership. We checked the barrel, and the only marking we can see is a 73, possibly the year of manufacture or alteration. The stock is marked with the letters I B, probably added long after its military service was over. Differing from the Brown Bess not only using all steel mounts the barrel is secured by three-barrel bands with springs and not pins.
Condition is very good, displaying a lovely matured patina overall. The metalwork has a lovely peppered patina from cleaning away oxidation over the long years. The lock is still functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, and the mainspring is strong. The trumpet ramrod is in very nice condition, and easily slides out of the stock. Both sling swivels are present and move easily. The stock is lovely, showing no major damage, and shows a good amount of lovely "flame figuring" near the butt stock.
A lovely example the famous Charleville flintlock musket as used in the American Revolutionary War, later converted to percussion. Ready to research and display!
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: circa 1770
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 44 3/4 Inches
Overall Length: 59 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
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.
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