Original Item: One of a Kind. This is an incredible example of an authentic American Revolutionary War U.S. marked French "Charleville" Musket, one of only a handful that we have ever offered. It shows an overall dark oxidized patina on the metalwork, and looks to have been untouched for years except for some light cleaning and oiling. The woodwork is very well-preserved, showing wear from long service, giving it a look that is simply impossible to duplicate. It has a clear U.S. surcharge marking on the lock, and is exactly the correct type of musket that was supplied by France during the war. It is 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 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, which indicates that the 1768 modifications were applied. This would usually also be marked on the breech of the barrel, however those markings have been lost to powder burn, along with any other markings on the barrel. There is still a clear U.S. surcharge on the tail of the lock plate, indicating acceptance by the United States. There would sometimes be a "U. STATES" brand on the bottom of the butt stock, but we cannot see any markings on the stock except for the D on the left butt stock from Charleville.

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. The stock does show some past damage and old repairs around the lock and barrel tang area, a very common areas to see these due to the recoil forces. Both sling swivels are still present, as is the ramrod, which still retains threading on the interior end. We checked and the lock does cock, but at present we were not able to get it to fire due to an issue with either the trigger or tumbler. It can be disengaged and returned to the forward position by pulling it back a bit and pulling the trigger.

This is a fantastic collector's opportunity to get U.S. Surcharged 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: 59 1/2 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.

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 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.