Guns International #: 103245454
Seller's Inventory #: 250570

Category - Antique Rifles - Flintlock - Antique Rifles - 1500-1850

Category
Antique Rifles - Flintlock
Antique Rifles - 1500-1850

Antique REVOLUTIONARY WAR French CHARLEVILLE M1766 Pattern FLINTLOCK MUSKET MARTIAL Musket with M1777 Type Front Barrel Band

Description:
Antique REVOLUTIONARY WAR French CHARLEVILLE M1766 Pattern FLINTLOCK MUSKET

MARTIAL Musket with M1777 Type Front Barrel Band

Here we present an antique unmarked Revolutionary War Era French Charleville Model 1766 Pattern Flintlock Musket, made circa the Revolutionary War Era likely at one the French armories. During the American War of Independence, the French government supplied large quantities of muskets to the Continental army. Several arsenals in France produced muskets with the Charleville Model 1763 being the most common with the Model 1766 close behind. Soon afterwards, all French muskets were referred to as "Charlevilles." In March 1777, some 5,000 Charleville muskets were covertly received from France. Though not on this example, George Washington implemented a resolution by the Continental Congress to stamp firearms with “US” as United States property to reduce theft.

The Model 1763's sturdier design proved to be a bit too heavy, so in 1766 the musket's design was lightened. The barrel wall was thinned, the lock was shortened, the stock was slimmed, and the Model 1763's long iron ramrod cover was replaced by a pinned spring under the breech. The trumpet shaped ramrod of the Model 1763 was also abandoned in favor of a ramrod with a lighter button shaped end. Though usually considered to be a separate model, the Model 1766 was often referred to as a "light Model 1763" musket, especially in Revolutionary War invoices. Despite being thinned down, the Model 1766 proved to be rugged and reliable. A total of 140,000 Model 1766 muskets were produced.

This musket was originally manufactured for the French military and could possibly been one of the muskets supplied to the American revolutionaries during the Revolutionary War by our French allies either covertly prior to their formal involvement beginning in 1778, or afterwards in which they supplied large numbers of these muskets. Without French assistance, it is very possible that the United States may well have lost the war, but instead, we fought side by side with our French allies and defeated the British and received favorable treaty terms that extended far beyond the original thirteen colonies. The French Model 1763 and Model 1766 muskets were widely used by the patriots and became the basis of the first U.S. martial muskets in the 1790s and beyond at the new Springfield Armory and later at Harpers Ferry.

The Charleville smoothbore musket, garnering its name from the main armory in Charleville, France, was the standard issue flintlock musket for the French Empire throughout the mid-18th and early-19th centuries. The original musket was first delivered in 1717, and over the next several decades, saw many revisions and improvements, making them a lighter, better fighting musket. With training, a single soldier could fire off between two and three rounds per minute. It was originally chambered for a .69 lead musket ball, as compared to the British “Brown Bess”, which chambered a .75 ball. Its effective range was really quite short by modern standards. That said, battles during the 18th and early 19th century were very closely fought and usually settled with the bayonet. The Charleville musket served in many conflicts, including the French Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, the American Revolution, and the War of 1812.
This example appears to be marked "Pu" on top of the barrel at the breech, with otherwise no visible outer markings. Though unmarked, it appears to have the features of a French Model 1766 musket, with a Model 1777 type front barrel band.

The overall condition is good. Mixed patinas of brown and gray. Very good re-finished stock and remain in very good shape with less than expected wear. The action is robust with a re-converted lock. The bore is dark and smooth but good.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 42-5/8 inches.

Caliber: .69 Flintlock

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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ancestryguns

$1600

#250570
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes