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Charleville

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Kyle Kalasnik

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I recently purchased this Charleville Musket. I have always wanted a musket from that time period.

I believe it is a 1763/66? If there are any specifics that anyone can point out, I would be greatly appreciative of.

Please excuse the crummy photos, I can attempt to post better ones.
 

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This is a 1763 light model, sometimes called a 1766/68 pattern.

The 1766/68 is notably different from the light model 1763 in that they include 3 band springs and the forearm stock was stepped down at the rear band.

Initial production of the 1763 light model Charleville had a friction fit rear band, therefore there was more wood around the ramrod entry area.

Some other additions that were done after 1763 was the inclusion of a rammer spring/spoon in the rear band, this is more commonly seen on the models 1770 - 1774. Initial production light Model 1763’s had a rammer spring that was pinned to a lug about 8inches from the breech. Some of the later guns production made after 1768 used barrel bands that were very similar to the 1774 model, these bands were thicker and had room for rammer retaining springs.
 
This is a 1763 light model, sometimes called a 1766/68 pattern.

The 1766/68 is notably different from the light model 1763 in that they include 3 band springs and the forearm stock was stepped down at the rear band.

Initial production of the 1763 light model Charleville had a friction fit rear band, therefore there was more wood around the ramrod entry area.

Some other additions that were done after 1763 was the inclusion of a rammer spring/spoon in the rear band, this is more commonly seen on the models 1770 - 1774. Initial production light Model 1763’s had a rammer spring that was pinned to a lug about 8inches from the breech. Some of the later guns production made after 1768 used barrel bands that were very similar to the 1774 model, these bands were thicker and had room for rammer retaining springs.
Well that was much more informative and answered a lot more questions, then the few legitimate websites I could find. I really appreciate it.
 
Well that was much more informative and answered a lot more questions, then the few legitimate websites I could find. I really appreciate it.

No problem, I have a lot of documentation on these guns.

When it comes to the 1763, the most confusing Part is there’s a heavy model and a light model. The French had experimented with making their charleville heavier after 1754 and they ended up with two versions of the same pattern, its confusing.

A french arms dealer explained to me that on the earlier 1717, 1728, 1746 and 1754 models there were two of each pattern, a heavy one and a light one. The heavier one was deemed a rampart gun or called an ‘Amusette’. WhicH was used to defend artillery positions, these guns were bored up to .80. After 1763, the French began making their guns lighter and did away with the heavier infantry and rampart guns.

https://emuseum.history.org/objects...t;jsessionid=6E773D3F00D36CB3F6B4B691E7B70F81
 
No problem, I have a lot of documentation on these guns.

When it comes to the 1763, the most confusing Part is there’s a heavy model and a light model. The French had experimented with making their charleville heavier after 1754 and they ended up with two versions of the same pattern, its confusing.

A french arms dealer explained to me that on the earlier 1717, 1728, 1746 and 1754 models there were two of each pattern, a heavy one and a light one. The heavier one was deemed a rampart gun or called an ‘Amusette’. WhicH was used to defend artillery positions, these guns were bored up to .80. After 1763, the French began making their guns lighter and did away with the heavier infantry and rampart guns.

https://emuseum.history.org/objects...t;jsessionid=6E773D3F00D36CB3F6B4B691E7B70F81
Thank you for posting this.
 
So from what I have read from legitimate authors, these specific models of the Charleville were carried the Contenentals in the Revolutionary War?
Obviously there is no serial number, and there is no documentation with the musket, but does anyone have an opinion?

Thank you.
 
Well first thing
So from what I have read from legitimate authors, these specific models of the Charleville were carried the Contenentals in the Revolutionary War?
Obviously there is no serial number, and there is no documentation with the musket, but does anyone have an opinion?

Thank you.

Well one thing is to consider is what was sent over.

In 1775 and 76 the french sent over around 20,000 locks, stocks and barrels and other parts, that we had to stock. This is why so many french parts are found on American assmebled arms, this was done to work around the British under a false corporation trading with the colonies. The captured arms from the French and Indian War were very aged the time of the Revolution but some of the early 1717, and 1728 pattern Charlevilles along with a variety of other french guns controlled the french admiralty.

After France’s formal alliance with the USA, assembled 1754’s through the 1774 models were sent over in large numbers With the bulk of them being the heavy and light model 1763’s.

You’ll notice in the picture below the heavy 1763 and light 1763 look almost identical when in fact one is much larger than the other.
 

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Hi,
Keep in mind, Charleville was just one of France's arsenals. The largest was St Etienne and then there was Maubeuge. It just so happens a lot of French muskets sent to America came from the Charleville arsenal. So you have a French model 1763/66/68 musket made in the Charleville arsenal, although I cannot make out the marks on the lock in your photos. Does it say "Charleville?

dave
 
Hi,
Keep in mind, Charleville was just one of France's arsenals. The largest was St Etienne and then there was Maubeuge. It just so happens a lot of French muskets sent to America came from the Charleville arsenal. So you have a French model 1763/66/68 musket made in the Charleville arsenal, although I cannot make out the marks on the lock in your photos. Does it say "Charleville?

dave
Yes it does, very difficult to see though. As well as a the letter “D” and a “⭐️“ just above the D..... maybe this zoomed in photo will show it clearer.
 

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