Belgian musket

[Kevin in NC]

I received this one yesterday. It looks like a French M1777 but has a Belgian proof mark, ELG over a star in an oval, which my info shows to be in use from 1811 to 1892.

The newish sling, leather frizzen protector and shiny, new brass guard suggests to me that this may have been a reenactor's gun fairly recently. Lots of scabby rust that I intend to clean. The bore is .701" and almost perfect. This should be a good shooter.

It has no military markings and only a few other markings here and there. I think this may be a trade musket from the late 1800's or even the early 1900's. I've done nothing so far other than scrub the bore. I'll dismount the barrel and lock and look for more clues. More photos to come.
Kevin in NC

 

[Cruzatte]

Looking forward to your next post.

 

[OLUT]

Looking forward to your added photos (please take some of the trigger guard and all the stampings). If your gun has two finger ridges (or whatever they are called) on the rear of the trigger guard, which is hidden by your wooden support in the photo, here's my guess.... it looks like a "fusil d'infanterie No.1", or the first musket of the country of Belgium after they declared independence in 1830. This model is basically the same as the French M 1822 . But, typically there should be a makers mark on the lock plate in addition to the Liege proof marks on the barrel. Both my French and Belgian versions fire well, so you should be able to enjoy shooting yours after inspection to assure that the gun is still sound.

 

[Kevin in NC]

Belgian proof. My reference says this one was used from 1811 to 1892.

Brass pan. Haven't measured the vent yet but it doesn't look eroded from excessive use.

Some other specs...
OAL, 57-7/8"; barrel length, 42-11/16"; weight, 10 lbs on my crappy little hanging scale; trigger pull, 4-5 lbs on same scale.
Kevin in NC

 

[Kevin in NC]

Looking forward to your added photos (please take some of the trigger guard and all the stampings). If your gun has two finger ridges (or whatever they are called) on the rear of the trigger guard, which is hidden by your wooden support in the photo, here's my guess.... it looks like a "fusil d'infanterie No.1", or the first musket of the country of Belgium after they declared independence in 1830. This model is basically the same as the French M 1822 . But, typically there should be a makers mark on the lock plate in addition to the Liege proof marks on the barrel. Both my French and Belgian versions fire well, so you should be able to enjoy shooting yours after inspection to assure that the gun is still sound.

Thanks for the info. Yes, it has the two ridges. No maker's mark on the lock and only a few other scattered markings. 34 on rear barrel band, 26 near the end of the trigger guard, FB stamped in the stock below the trigger guard, 18 on the bayonet lug, W on the left stock flat. The rammer has IX and some assembly slash marks. I'm about to dismount the barrel and lock and look for more clues.

 

[Kevin in NC]

The lock looks good inside with only a small S or 5 on the tumbler and \/ // on the inner edge of the frizzen or steel.

\// /// assembly marks on both the barrel and stock. No other markings in the stock channel. Unlike the British, the Belgians seem to have been rather parsimonious in their markings.

A .093" pin gauge is a snug fit in the vent. The vent is clean, not eroded and shows no signs of ever having been percussioned. The barrel is clean and shiny beneath the woodline. The lock mortise looks clean and professional. What is that broad arrow doing there? Despite a few dings, the stock appears to be quite sound with no cracks, rot or repairs. I'll give it a good rub with Kramer's and some TLC with BLO.

No other proof marks under the barrel except what looks like AN.

Other than the rust topside, this one seems to be a solid piece. Even with the auction fees, I got it in hand for far less than I would have paid for a Pedersoli repro Bess or M1777. I'm still interested in your thoughts or opinions what this might be.
Kevin in NC