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 nice 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 many markings on the barrel breech, including a clear 1834 date on the right side, along with 4885 on the left side, most likely a serial or inventory numbers. There are also some faded oval proof marks as well, and Cde 18 for an 18mm bore, which is approximately .70".
It is also marked 1822 T on the barrel tang behind the rear sight, for the model and the "T" indicates a percussion "transformation". There is also the word bis (again) behind the tang screw indicating another "transformation", in this case the addition of rifling to the barrel. There is the word TULLE stamped onto the right side of the butt stock, indicating where one of the conversions occurred. The original production rondel mark is present, and there was a second added during the conversion, however both are unfortunately too worn to read.
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. There are also some small proof marks on the lock plate, and 4333 marked on top of the insert where the flash pan used to be.
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 40 1/2 inch barrel has markings mentioned before, and overall has a gray lightly oxidized patina, with some peppering in areas. With an overall length of 55 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 gray patina overall, and the wood stock showing decades of careful polishing. We checked the bore, and the 4 groove rifling is definitely still visible, however it shows wear and light fouling. This is definitely a rifled musket that saw use since conversion. The lock functions, however the tumbler is worn, so it will fire at both the full and half cock positions. The original ramrod is still present in the channel under the stock, with the correct cup end with a hole through it.
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: 1834 - updated later.
Caliber: .73" with fourg roove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 40 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 55 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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