Original Item: One of a Kind. Straight out of the attic, this is a fantastic U.S. Revolutionary War linked French "Charleville" Musket, untouched for years except for some light cleaning and oiling to put it in its best light. It has a fantastic brown patina of age on the metalwork, with well-preserved woodwork, giving it a look that is simply impossible to duplicate. It has clear U.S. surcharge markings on the lock and barrel, and evidence of further markings that were removed on the bottom of the butt stock. it is very rare that we get a chance to offer such a great U.S. Revolutionary War flintlock musket!

For the most part, it is a regular French Modèle 1766/68 Line Flintlock Musket, with all parts correct and for the most part complete. This model saw use along with the Modèle 1763 in the American Revolution. Once as numerous as Brown Bess Muskets the French equivalent was referred to as the CHARLEVILLE Musket, and there were a multitude of versions over the years. However, Charleville was only one of the manufacturing Arsenals, the predominant one being Saint-Étienne.

This example however is actually marked faintly under the angular flash pan with Charleville, indicating production at the famed ARSENAL at CHARLEVILLE. This Arms Manufacturing installation was located in Charleville-Mézières, Ardennes, France, to the far north east of Paris, and was responsible for developing the famous "Charleville" muskets of the line and many other firearms. It was later closed, as it was realized that having an arsenal that close to the eastern border of France was not strategically viable.

It is also marked on the lock with a STAR / D proof mark, and the breech has the same marking on it as well. The other markings have worn away, however there are still the clear U.S. surcharges on the tang of the barrel, and on the tail of the lock plate. The bottom of the butt stock has had an area carved out, which is exactly where the "U. STATES" brand would be for a musket issued to the Continental Army. By removing this, it made it easier for the soldier to take it home, and claim that it was not government property.

Differing from the Brown Bess not only using all steel mounts the barrel is secured by three-barrel bands, and not pins. Condition overall is lovely, with the expected wear and damage from service and age. There is a marking "AW WA" scratched into the right butt stock, but it does not have any significance that we can decipher. Both sling swivels are still present, and there is a ramrod, though it looks to be a more recent replacement. We checked and the lock does function, but due to a worn tumbler it will fire at both full and half cock.

This is a fantastic collector's opportunity to get a very well-marked French Flintlock musket with a definitive U.S. Revolutionary War history. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:-
Year of Manufacture: circa 1770
Bore Diameter: .71"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 44 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 60 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

The "Charleville" line of flintlock muskets is the French equivalent of the venerable "Brown Bess" used by the British. First introduced in 1717, the design was updated numerous times until production finally ceased in the early 1840s, when it was superseded by the "back action" Modèle 1842 percussion musket. The M1763 and M1876 versions were supplied in some quantities to the American Colonies during the Revolutionary War.

However, the most well-known variants worldwide are probably the Modèle 1777 and later Modèle 1777 corrigé en l'an IX (Model 1777 corrected in the year IX / 1800), which were the primary muskets of the line during the French Napoleonic Wars. Compared to the earlier Modèle 1763, these introduced a cheek rest on the left hand side of the butt stock, and also featured a slanted brass priming pan and bridle. The trigger guard was modified with two rear finger ridges, a design also seen in the later M1842 muskets.

Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the M1777 was further modified to the Modèle 1816, which changed the angled brass flash pan to a flat one with a rear "fence" to stop powder remnants and other debris from flying into the eyes of the solder. The shape of the flashhole was changed to be conical as well. Six years later, the Modèle 1822 was introduced, which mainly involved changes to the lock, with many more components being made from steel instead of iron, to increase longevity. All told, 7 million of all variants of the M1777 were made, making it the largest produced firearm until World War I came around.

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.