December 16, 17, & 18, 2020 Field & Range Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/16/2020
French flintlock military musket altered to percussion and subsequently shortened to musketoon length with bright barrel, iron mountings, and hardwood stock with recessed cheek rest. Lock marked in script “Mre Rle / de St. Etienne” with numerous French inspection marks on the metal and the wood. Barrel dated 1820 at the breech and the bolster, French military proofs at breech as well. Barrel and stock mated during the rebuilding or alteration process with the longer tang mortise in the stock filled. Barrel secured by 3 flat spring retained bands, sling swivels on middle band and in toe of stock. Fixed rear sight on tang, front sight on barrel behind front strap of upper band. Trumpet head ramrod shortened and rethreaded for use with gun at this length. The gun was captured by the Germans at some point during the Franco-Prussian War and bears Imperial German unit markings at the breech. The first is “KIC.2C.27” which has been lined through and the second is “1 I B.63”. It is not clear if the gun was shortened in French of German service, although the percussion alteration is clearly French. Ramrod with German unit mark “KIC.2C.216”. An interesting French musket that apparently saw service for some 50 years, from the flintlock era through the age of the early cartridge guns during the Franco-Prussian War. CONDITION: Good. Metal with a dull gray patina with scattered oxidation and brownish discoloration with some minor roughness and pinpricking. Mechanically functional lock. Markings in metal clear, weaker in wood. Smooth bore good with scattered oxidation and some pitting, as well as a thick layer of Cosmoline. Entire gun with Cosmoline on it, in the wood and in some larger amounts in the recesses of the metal. Stock sanded and worn, cut under the middle band and showing numerous dents, dings and mars. TP
Item Dimensions: L - 45 - 1/2"
Caliber/Bore
17.5mm / .69 Caliber