May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
This fine example of a French Model 1763 "Fusil" or musket in its original configuration is extremely rare, without even taking account its important, wartime American markings. It was originally part of a clandestine shipment from France aboard the Mercure, which arrived at Portsmouth, New Hampshire on March 17, 1777. 2016 of these muskets were released to New Hampshire for its three Continental battalions the following month and shipped to John Ward Gilman, an Exeter silversmith, to have state ownership markings applied. This musket bears Gilman’s stamps applied on the left side near the breech: "NH 1B No.164", one of 672 muskets engraved intended for the 1st New Hampshire Battalion, all numbered in sequence from No. 1 to No. 672, the paired bayonets engraved with the number only; the two other battalions had their respective 672 stands of arms similarly marked, but distinguished by “2B” or “3B” battalion stamps on the musket barrels. By June 1777, more than 800 of the NH-marked arms had arrived at Fort Ticonderoga and were issued out to the three battalions, who first carried them into action at Hubbardton and subsequently, Saratoga. By late fall, the New Hampshire Line, including the 1st Battalion or Regiment, had joined the Main Army and wintered with it at Valley Forge, before fighting at Monmouth on June 28, 1778. The 1st saw further action at Newtown against the Iroquois and in the Virginia campaign of 1781, where its light infantry company participated in the night assault on Redoubt Number 10, taking it with their French arms unloaded, but bayonets fixed.
The musket has a tapered round smoothbore barrel with bayonet lug mounted ion the bottom near muzzle and the tang is inscribed "M 1763.” The flat lockplate has beveled edges and is stamped in the center with a crown over "A" and inscribed "Charleville", designating the royal manufactory where it was produced. Opposite it, the iron sideplate is stamped "P (star) N". The musket features the early Model 1763 mounts, including a trumpeted band at the muzzle and stepped middle-band (both spring-fastened) and a pressure-mounted, rear band (later spring-fastened from 1766 onwards). The musket is complete with its original trumpet-headed, iron ramrod and still retains the original ramrod cover or "sheath of sheet-iron, spring-fastened and ranging the ramrod channel between the muzzle band and center band. This feature is unique to the true 1763 first type musket and not found in those produced after 1766, the so-called "light 1763" or Model 1766 (and is rarely encountered still in place on surviving specimens). The full-length, walnut stock is stamped with a French inspection mark on the left side of the butt and on the right side is deeply carved with the initials "SB". The musket was found with an American-modified, British socket bayonet. The triangular blade measures 16 3/4 inches and the socket measures 3 5/16 inches in length, respectively. The blade is marked with an "8", a “[crown]/6" inspection mark, and two “broad arrow” marks, inversely facing each other, denoting that the bayonet was sold out of service. The socket was cut up its length, its diameter reduced and brazed closed again with a collar restored to its end--almost certainly a period alteration to suit service with this musket, to which it is well-fitted. The musket and bayonet were recently acquired by the consignor from an historic property near Bartlett, New Hampshire where they had hung since “around 1900.” CONDITION: All iron components retain a dark, undisturbed patina and all markings are exceptionally good; the lock in original configuraton and and good working order; the stock shows scattered marks from use, minor chips, age cracks and period repairs to cracks in the fore-end. The musket is completely "as found" and in "attic condition" and its bayonet retains a matching surface. It would be difficult to find a Revolutionary War musket of comparable importance in the desirable state of this identified and marked example.
Caliber/Bore
.70 Smoothbore