Item Description
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 a great condition. This started life as a French M-1822 Flintlock Musket, made at the Royale Arsenal in Saint-Étienne. 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 0.73" in diameter, bored and worn from the original 0.69". There are some faded markings on the barrel breech, including a relatively clear 1822 date on the left side, along with 1732 and 1449, most likely serial and inventory numbers.
We can see that there once were markings on the barrel tang, however they unfortunately have been worn away by oxidation and powder burn from the lock. Most likely it was originally marked "Modèle 1822", and then also had a "T" and "bis" added later. The "T" indicates a percussion "transformation", and the word bis (again) would indicate another "transformation", in this case the addition of rifling to the barrel. This rifle has also very interestingly had a long range rare ladder sight added, possibly after it was exported.
The rifled musket is fully steel mounted and bears a clear maker marking on the lock plate: M're R'le / de St. Étienne, indicating manufacture at the Royal French Arsenal located in Saint-Étienne. The stock has definitely been arsenal reconditioned, so the original proof marks are worn away, though the reddish wooden "plug" on the right side is still visible. The 42 1/2 inch barrel has markings mentioned before, and overall has a brown oxidized patina, with some peppering in areas. With an overall length of 57 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 now having an oxidized brown patina overall, and the wood stock showing decades of careful polishing. We checked the bore, and the 5 groove rifling is definitely still visible, however it shows wear fouling. This is definitely a rifled musket that saw significant use since conversion. The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full. The original ramrod is still present, and the rear sight still works correctly, though it is stiff.
This is a very good 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 nice addition to any display of imported arms, having been updated circa 1860.
In lovely condition, a French M-1822 Percussion Converted Rifle ready to research and display!
Year of Manufacture: 1822 - updated later.
Caliber: .70" with five groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 42 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 57 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded
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.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". 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.
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