Original Item: Only One Available - As used in the U.S. Civil War. This is very unusual and interesting, being both rifled and in such nice condition, probably the best we have EVER seen! This started life as a French Modèle 1822 Flintlock Musket, made at the Royal Arsenal in Châtellerault. This was one of the last flintlock models put into service. In the years since it was produced, it was both converted to percussion, and now has a very nice rifled barrel, approximately 0.71" in diameter, bored out a bit from the original 0.69". There are many markings on the barrel breech, including a clear 1831 date on the right side, along with two proof marks as well, and Cde 18 for an 18mm bore, which is approximately .708".

It is also marked -1822 T on the barrel tang behind the rear sight, for the model of musket, and the "T" indicates a percussion "transformation". There is also the word bis (again) behind the tang screw indicating another "transformation", in this case the addition of rifling to the barrel. There may have been an "Mle" marking, but it is covered up by the added rear sight. There is the word S'T ÉTIENNE stamped into the right side of the butt stock, and above this is a faint rondel stamp that looks to read S'T ÉTIENNE 1848, however we cannot be certain. This would be from one of the two conversions that the rifled musket underwent.

At some point after that, it was retrofitted back to flintlock, using what definitely look to be original parts. Flintlock muskets were actually still very much in use during the Civil war, as they did not require percussion caps, and often whatever was available had to be used. "Un-converting" a musket would definitely be an option.

The rifled musket is fully steel mounted and bears a clear maker marking on the lock plate:

This is the abbreviation for Manufacture Royale de Tulle (also known as Manufacture d'Armes de Tulle), the Imperial Arsenal in southwestern France. This is also which is where the majority of Naval and Marine production guns were made during the mid 19th century, however we do not see any naval markings. There are also some small proof marks on the lock plate, as well as several on the left facet of the barrel next to serial 2203.

The stock is really in great shape, and unlike so many we see, does not look to have had any major arsenal reconditioning, so the many of the original markings are still quite clear. It does not look to have ever had the "Holy Water Plug" on the right side. Overall it has a great color, with no major damage, an is just a fantastic example. The 40 3/8 inch barrel has markings mentioned before, and overall has a lovely mottled patina, showing some staining and oxidation to the original bright finish. With an overall length of 55 1/2 inches, it has been shortened several inches from the original length, not uncommon during percussion conversions.

Overall condition is very nice, with the metalwork still retaining much of the original bright finish, with light oxidation staining in areas. We checked the bore, and the 4 groove rifling is definitely still visible, however it shows overall wear and light fouling. This is definitely a rifled musket that saw use since conversion. The lock is fully functional, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full. Both sling swivels are present and still move, though they are definitely very stiff. There is an original ramrod in the channel under the barrel, but it is not the correct type, and the narrow end has been made into a point.

This is an excellent representative example of the many interesting European cast-off weapons that crossed the ocean to serve during the American Civil War, and would be a great addition to any display of imported arms, having been updated circa 1860, and then later retrofitted back to flintlock.

In lovely condition, a French M-1822 Rifle with a very interesting history, ready to research and display!

Year of Manufacture: 1838 - updated later.
Caliber: .71" with four groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 40 3/8 Inches
Overall Length: 55 1/2 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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