{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-era-french-modele-1822t-bis-percussion-converted-rifle-by-chatellerault-arsenal-dated-1838","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Era French Modèle 1822T bis Percussion Converted Rifle by Châtellerault Arsenal - dated 1838","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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 \u003cstrong\u003e1838\u003c\/strong\u003e date on the right side, along with two proof marks as well, and \u003cstrong\u003eCde 18\u003c\/strong\u003e for an 18mm bore, which is approximately .708\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also marked \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMle 1822 T\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e 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 \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ebis\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e (again) behind the tang screw indicating another \"transformation\", in this case the addition of rifling to the barrel. There is the word \u003cstrong\u003eTULLE\u003c\/strong\u003e stamped TWICE onto the right side of the butt stock, indicating most likely where both of the conversions occurred. The original production rondel mark around the wooden plug is present, though unfortunately the markings around it are too faint to read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rifled musket is fully steel mounted and bears a clear maker marking on the lock plate: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eM're R'le de\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eChâtellerault\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the abbreviation for \u003cem\u003eManufacture Royale de Châtellerault\u003c\/em\u003e (also known as Manufacture d'Armes \/ Imperieale de Châtellerault), the Imperial Arsenal in central western France. There are also some small proof marks on the lock plate, and on top of the insert where the flash pan used to be. The plugged holes for the pan, frizzen, and frizzen spring are also still easily visible on the lock plate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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. The red wooden plug on the right side is still intact, indicating that it was a military rifle, still has a legible \u003cstrong\u003eM. R\u003c\/strong\u003e marking on it, indicating it was produced at one of the Royal Arsenals, though as stated before the information around it is too faint to read. There are additional proofs on both sides, definitely possible avenues of research. Overall it has a great color, with no major damage, an is just a fantastic example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 40 1\/2 inch barrel has markings mentioned before, and overall has a 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall 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 wear and light fouling in the groves. 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. The original ramrod is still present in the channel under the stock, with the correct cup end with a small hole through it. Both sling swivels are present and still move, though they can be a bit stiff.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn lovely condition, a French M-1822 Percussion Converted Rifle ready to research and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear of Manufacture:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1838 - updated later.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaliber: .71\" with four groove rifling\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCartridge Type: Ball and Powder\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 40 1\/2 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverall Length: 55 1\/2 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAction type: Side Action Lock\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeed System: Muzzle Loaded\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42084160110661,"sku":"ONSV24MYS075","price":1995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV24MYS075__01.jpg?v=1729275317","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-era-french-modele-1822t-bis-percussion-converted-rifle-by-chatellerault-arsenal-dated-1838","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}