Charlieville Identification

[The Motley Patriot]

Can somebody help me pin down this smooth bore? It has been loosely identified as a 1777-1839 and lots of parts are missing. I want to bring this back to functional and the barrel is actually decent. The barrel proof markings are something I haven’t found yet but any info is appreciated.

 

[Clark Badgett]

Well, the barrel does have a Charleville proof. Beyond that, your pictures don’t show any means of which model it is. Show the right side of the forward barrel band. I’m sorta leaning to pre-1777.

 

[The Motley Patriot]

Well, the barrel does have a Charleville proof. Beyond that, your pictures don’t show any means of which model it is. Show the right side of the forward barrel band. I’m sorta leaning to pre-1777.

Well, the barrel does have a Charleville proof. Beyond that, your pictures don’t show any means of which model it is. Show the right side of the forward barrel band. I’m sorta leaning to pre-1777.

 

[Billy-by-gosh]

This is an interesting old war horse. Was surprised to see that the touch hole had a bushing installed....and apparently used a great deal since, judging by the enlarged size of the hole.

 

[Clark Badgett]

I would be reasonably comfortable saying this was once a 1768 with heavy modification to the buttstock.

 

[The Motley Patriot]

I would be reasonably comfortable saying this was once a 1768 with heavy modification to the buttstock.

Would you suggest a source for a reproduction lock to work until I find an original?

 

[The Motley Patriot]

G

This is an interesting old war horse. Was surprised to see that the touch hole had a bushing installed....and apparently used a great deal since, judging by the enlarged size of the hole.

Great points!

 

[Clark Badgett]

Would you suggest a source for a reproduction lock to work until I find an original?

The only place that offers a true copy of a 1766 lock kit is The Rifle Shoppe in Wellston OK. It’s a good lock when they are in stock and they weren’t last time I looked a couple months ago, HOWEVER, it’s not a Charleville lock, it’s a Maubeuge lock so it wouldn’t match your barrel. They might have the buttplate though and I know they have the trigger guard.

 

[Millford_P]

I agree that it's a 1766/68 Charleville Musket, with a heavily modified buttstock.

I've got an original Charleville trigger guard, and maybe a buttplate (PM me if you're interested).

The Riffle Shoppe would have all the parts you need otherwise though.

If you have trouble locating a French lock (repro will run you about $400 assembled, original could be $750-1000), you may want to consider a US lock from the 1795/1808 era. I've seen many militia muskets from the early 19th century that used both old french musket parts and newer US parts. Parts from yours are probably missing for this very reason! Since this musket is already so heavily modified, using some US parts to restore would be perfectly plausible.

 

[FlinterNick]

View attachment 333582Can somebody help me pin down this smooth bore? It has been loosely identified as a 1777-1839 and lots of parts are missing. I want to bring this back to functional and the barrel is actually decent. The barrel proof markings are something I haven’t found yet but any info is appreciated.

1766 pattern charleville, possibly a one made closer to 1770. The front band is a replacement, looks like a Japanese miroku band or a Springfield band.

 

[Clark Badgett]

1766 pattern charleville, possibly a one made closer to 1770. The front band is a replacement, looks like a Japanese miroku band or a Springfield band.

No telling. The front band looks thicker than the 1795 bands I have access to. The sight is brass also

 

[Millford_P]

No telling. The front band looks thicker than the 1795 bands I have access to. The sight is brass also

Here are four front barrel bands for reference.

First (on the left) is from a m1766 Maubeurge arsenal, second (second on left) is a m1766/68 Charleville arsenal, next is a US 1808 (probably Springfield), last on the right is a US militia musket maker Henry Osborne (who likely used Springfield parts).

OP's original band is most likely a later US replacement from an 1808 I would guess.

 

[Clark Badgett]

Here are four front barrel bands for reference.

First (on the left) is from a m1766 Maubeurge arsenal, second (second on left) is a m1766/68 Charleville arsenal, next is a US 1808 (probably Springfield), last on the right is a US militia musket maker Henry Osborne (who likely used Springfield parts).

OP's original band is most likely a later US replacement from an 1808 I would guess.

View attachment 333959View attachment 333967View attachment 333969

Those are awesome. I need to get down to town and gawk at the Charleville and Maubeuge again. And by M1808 are you referring to the 1795 type 2 or 3?

 

[The Motley Patriot]

Three band casting marks.

 

[Leatherbark]

The trigger looks like a US musket of 1816 variety. What is the barrel length?

Bob