TACK DECORATED Antique REVOLUTIONARY WAR 1780 Dated French FLINTLOCK MUSKET 1780 DATED Revolutionary War MARTIAL Musket

Product Description

TACK DECORATED Antique REVOLUTIONARY WAR 1780 Dated French FLINTLOCK MUSKET

1780 DATED Revolutionary War MARTIAL Musket

Here we present an antique Tack Decorated Revolutionary War Era French Flintlock Musket, made circa 1780 at one of the state arsenals in France. During the American War of Independence, the French government supplied large quantities of muskets to the Continental army. Several arsenals in France produced muskets, but the Charleville Model 1763 was 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. 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 was possibly one of the muskets supplied to the American revolutionaries during the Revolutionary War by our French. 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-18^th and early-19^th 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 18^th and early 19^th 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.

The overall condition is good. Modified during the period of use. Dark patina throughout. The action is excellent. Original flintlock. The bore is dim and smooth. The stock has been shortened and a ramrod tube has been installed under the barrel to make this into a handier musket or shotgun. There is a split that is stable off the back of the lock and other signs of hard use throughout that do not pose any structural issue. Decorated with tacks throughout. This one has a date of [17]80 on the left side of the barrel.

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

Barrel is 30 inches.

Caliber: .69 Flintlock

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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$1800
#244398