May 12-14, 2026 Firearms & Militaria
Lot #2092:
(A) IMPORTANT DOCUMENTED LAFAYETTE SHIPMENT MARKED AND "U. STATES" TRIPLE BRANDED FRENCH MODEL 1774 FLINTLOCK MUSKET.
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/13/2026
This musket is pictured on page 139 of "Evolution of The Brown Bess Musket" by Dr. Jay Tartell. This important and historic musket is profusely marked with important Revolutionary War markings indicating both its substantial use by the Continental Army and that it was one of a shipment of muskets sent clandestinely to the United States and arriving in 1777 with Lafayette. There are two "U.STATES" brands on the bottom of the stock, one on both sides of the triggerguard. For another example of this brand, see plate 11 on page 66 of "Continental Arsenal Marks and Stamps" by Rex Kessler. The right side of the stock is also marked with a large "US". For an example of a similar mark and font style, see plate 5 on pages 54 and 55 as well as page 180 (Perpetual Tilting MT) in the same publication. The example shown in the book with this mark on pages 54 and 55 is also a Model 1774 St. Etienne musket also with the same "Lf" mark on the lock attributed to being one of those that were shipped to the colonies by Lafayette. The musket also has a "US" stamped on the left side of the breech. There is an extensive and detailed article regarding these muskets on pages 59-76 in "The Gazette of the American Friends of Lafayette, No. 92, June 2020" titled "The Long Lost Guns of the Marquis de Lafayette" by Michael Geiger. This article can be found online and goes in depth with evidence regarding these important muskets. According to the article, Model 1774 French St. Etienne muskets are considered to have come to America with Marquis de Lafayette. Model 1774 parts have been unearthed at 1781 southern campaign campsites. The muskets are believed to have arrived with Lafayette in June of 1777 at Charleston, SC. For more information on this shipment and its documentation, see Charles Wilson's 1910 publication "Firearms in American History" pages 2 and 114. This "Lf" marked example has a shorter 42" barrel than the standard 44-1/2" barrel on French government marked examples. All known examples with this "LF" markings have 42" dragoon length barrels. The barrel also has a bottom mounted bayonet lug snd is marked "US" on the left side of the breech. The lockplate is inscribed "Manufacture / de St. Etienne" in the center with stamped "Lf" above it. Standard government Model 1774 muskets are marked "Manufacture Royale de St. Etienne" and are stamped with a crown above "B" rather than "Lf". The iron furniture is standard Model 1774 furniture and an iron ramrod. The walnut stock is standard for this model and is triple surcharged as noted in detail above. CONDITION: Barrel retains a dark heavy brown patina. Lock is in its original flintlock configuration and retains a dark brown patina, part of cock screw broken off during its period of use, action functions well and is strong. Iron furniture retains a dark brown patina. Stock shows some wear and scattered marks from use. A very important and well-marked example of a significant and exceedingly rare Revolutionary War longarm. A copy of the article regarding the Lafayette muskets as well as a copy of the book featuring this musket are included with this lot.
Caliber/Bore
.69 Smoothbore
Paperwork
Book, Information