Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of a Model 1844/60 “Piedmontese” rifled musket, produced by the Belgian firm of August Francotte, a prolific maker of firearms located in Liège. Over the years the firm produced many styles of arms from sporting to military for a variety of makers and governments. Founded in 1810, the company was still in operation until the WWII era.

This pattern of 18mm smoothbore musket was originally designed for the Kingdom of Piedmont in 1844, which became a part of modern day Italy during the unification of Italy in 1871. It was however also used and marketed to other countries, being a robust design based heavily on the French model of 1822.

In 1860 these muskets were modified by adding 4 shallow rifled grooves and a fixed rear sight screwed to the breech, which created the M-1844/60 rifled-musket. These are uniquely identifiable by their rear sight attached to a screw to the barrel tang, and in fact they are one of the few types of Belgian and French arms that are specifically identified in US ordnance reports, due to this unique rear sight. Two international arms dealers purchased and delivered just over 10,000 of these muskets to the US government in the early days of the Civil War:

- On October 7, 1862 Marcellus Hartley reported acquiring "From the association of Liège, 2,000 Piedmontese Rifled Muskets, extra cones, implements, freight free to Antwerp (boxes 8 fr) “ 48 fr(ancs)", which equated about $10.92 per musket.

- The firm of Herman Boker & Company had made an earlier purchase of these muskets as well. These appeared in Boker’s “samples’ to the Ordnance Department as Sample 15. They were described by Major P.V. Hagner (of the US Ordnance Department) in his report of March 2, 1862 entitled: Report of the Appraised Value of Arms Delivered Under Boker’s Contract” as "Parts new, but of old pattern. Rear sight notch screwed onto breech pin, rods not cupped." According to Hagner’s report, Boker delivered 8,176 of these muskets at 50.50 francs, or about $11.51 per musket. Hagner’s reference to the arms being of “old pattern” referred to the fact that the guns were based upon the French Pattern 1822 musket.

Most of the Piedmontese muskets saw service among Western theater US troops from states like Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. For some reason, a significant number of these guns saw service after the war as GAR parade guns. A number of extant examples exist in old GAR collections (or with provenance to GAR halls) that have been plated and polished to make them look nice on parade.

This example is textbook for the Model 1844/66, and does not show any type of post service alterations. It has the early style lock featured on this, which like many first generation percussion arms, looks almost like it was made as a flintlock. There are no markings on the lock other than the CROWN / AF mark of August Francotte, as is correct. There is also a clear circular cartouche on the right side of the butt stock that reads A. FRANCOTTE / A LIÈGE around the "Perron" or Tower of Liège.

Additionally, the barrel nocks form bears the E / L G / * in an oval Liège proof on the left side next to a CROWN / IM proof, possibly for a barrel subcontractor. The right side of the nocks form in front of the cap nipple cone bolster features another Tower of Liège proof among other single letter inspection proofs, typical of Belgian guns of the time. The fittings also all have various proofs stamped into them. Definitely some fantastic markings on this example!

We checked the lock, and it is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full. The bore is in very good condition, showing a bright finish with the four groove rifling still crisp! There is just a bit of past fouling and oxidation, now cleaned away, and looking at the cap nipple cone, we can only see a bit of powder burn around it, so this rifled musket saw only light service after conversion.

The stock has a lovely dark honey color, showing the expected dents, dings, small chips, and other wear and damage commensurate with age and service. We do not see any cracks or structural damage, and the color and grain are definitely quite lovely. Both sling swivels are present, though very stiff, and there is the correct "trumpet" style cleaning rod under the barrel.

An excellent example of a M1844/66 "Piedmontese" Percussion Rifled Musket, made in Belgium by the famous August Francotte. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: c. 1845-50 - upgraded circa 1860
Caliber: 18mm - about .71 inches
Ammunition Type:  Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 40 ½ inches
Overall Length: 55 ½ inches
Action: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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