September 20th 2015 Premier Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/19/2015
.69 bore, barrel length 44". 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 and soon all French muskets were referred to as "Charlevilles." In March 1777, some 25,000 Charleville muskets were received from France. George Washington implemented a resolution by the Continental Congress to stamp firearms as United States property to reduce theft. While this musket is not U.S. property stamped, it is the same type of musket that was used during the Revolutionary War period. This musket has seen much use and has had some period alterations and repairs but is all there. The barrel and the three retaining bands are a dark chocolate brown patina. Both the barrel bands, sling swivel and the trigger guard sling swivel are present. The brass trigger guard is a dark mustard color but the forward tang has been shortened, altered and has a period repair. The brass trigger guard is a period replacement that is short in both the front and rear tang. The stock retains its original finish but has several cracks most noticeably two at the base forward of the trigger guard and a wrist crack at back of tang running 4" in a "V" pattern. The right side of stock has been reconfigured and the buttplate is ill fitting. This is a historical and handsome rifle as is but with some attention to the stock and trigger guard. Could be restored.