Original Item: One of a Kind. Straight out of the attic, this is a fantastic French and Indian & U.S. Revolutionary Wars linked French Modèle 1754 "Charleville" Musket, untouched for years except for some light cleaning and oiling to put it in its best light. It has a fantastic brown patina of age on the metalwork, with well-preserved woodwork, giving it a look that is simply impossible to duplicate.

This example definitely saw long service in North America, and at some point the original stock was destroyed, and then it was professionally restocked using popular Cherry wood, and fitted with an American style cleaning rod. At this time the butt plate tang was also shortened somewhat, but otherwise the hardware is absolutely correct for a M1754. It has a correct flat M1754 lock plate with some beveling at the tail, and the correct hammer, with a replaced top jaw. The markings on the lock are unfortunately completely removed, possibly to obscure the French origin if it had been re-captured during the French & Indian war. For a very similar example, please see figure 41.MM on page 91 of George C. Neumann's incredible work, Battle Weapons of the American Revolution. It is very rare that we get a chance to offer such a great early American flintlock musket!

Muskets such as this saw use along with the Modèle 1763 and Modèle 1768/68 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.

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 a great brown oxidized patina on most of the metalwork. As mentioned previously, the lock markings were removed, but there still is an MA cartouche on the lock sideplate. The musket is missing both sling swivels, probably lost over the years, or removed to use on a more modern weapon. The lock is functional, though due to tumbler wear it can fire on both the full and half cock positions.

This is a fantastic collector's opportunity to get French Flintlock musket, restocked in North American with a definitive early American history. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:-
Year of Manufacture: circa 1755-60
Bore Diameter: .74"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 43 3/8 Inches
Overall Length: 58 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Flintlock
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.