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Pedersoli Charleville 1777 musket

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pepperbelly

45 Cal.
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I need to decide quickly if I want to buy this musket or not. The price is right- actually it might be a steal.
The only thing making me hesitate is that it doesn't come with sights- obviously. It can't be very accurate like that. Even shotguns have a bead in front.
I don't do re-enacting, so anything I buy I buy to shoot.
I don't want to get this just because it is a bargain, but I also don't want to pass on something I might not find again, at least at this price.

Are these good for sport shooting, or are they more geared for just re-enacting? The fun factor at the range will always be there, but shooting a pumpkin size group at 50 yards might be embarrassing.

Ya'll wanna help me make up my mind?

Jim
 
Same as I said before: Buy it if you can. If it doesn't live up to your liking, then sell it to someone else, maybe at a modest profit for yourself.
 
You are correct..." It is a steal"......no doubt!
But as with all BP guns....you should drop a borelight down the bore and inspect first.
The 1777 has a front bead on the last barrel band...but no rear sight, the barrel tang can be used for sighting...so it is not totally sightless.
Most of the used "Charlevilles" sell for $700-$800
 
I don't have a Charleyville, but I do shoot a Brown Bess a lot. Smoothbore muskets can be tweaked to keep the shots in the same hole at 25 yards and on a pie plate at 50 yards. There are ways to add a rear reference slot at the rear of the barrel that gives you a better sight. If you aren't going to reenact I reckon you could add a rear sight, but that might reduce the resale value if you ever wanted to sell it to a reenactor.

Many Klatch
 
Assuming the bore is in good shape, I'd definitely buy it. If you don't enjoy shooting it, you can sell it later for at least what you paid for it, probably a bit more.

But my decision would depend on the condition of the bore, and the functioning of the lock. If those two things check out, don't hesitate. If I were browsing the same shop, you wouldn't have gotten a second look at it.
 
It's the story of my life. While looking for something I find something else that I can't pass up. I really want a flintlock longrifle and find this.

Jim
 
You might want to consider looking up the manufacture date. Pedersoli changes the basic thread & screw sizes from time to time. On the barrel there's a two letter code in a box, look here to translate that into a date. This could be important if it needs a replacement screw or spring.

That's the only detail I'd check before buying, other than the general condition. Pedersoli has a great reputation for quality. Also note that the 1777 was contemporary with the American Revolution, but it's doubtful many saw service as they would have been the latest and greatest France was producing at the time. So, this musket has limited history as far as the United States is concerned.

I had a Japanese-made Navy Arms 1777, and I found it easier to work on than the British musket since the 1777 used barrel bands. The British muskets use a lot of pins, increasing the range of tools required for basic service.

They aren't meant to have sights, even though the 1777 has a sighting bead on the front barrel band. You should be able to hit an 8 1/2"x11" paper target at 25 yards, patching the ball should increase accuracy but will be a tighter fit and may require swabbing the bore.

Also note that it should be 69 caliber (0.690"), so you'll need a supply of lead balls in the 0.675" - 0.680" range. I cast my own, since it's still easy to find scrap lead and musket ball hardness isn't critical.

Since it's a smoothbore, you can also fire cluster shot as long as it's lead and you observe maximum charge recommendations.

You're looking at a $1000 musket new ( example ), so used they can still cost a lot. I don't see where you mention the asking price. I generally lose interest in anything used when the asking price approaches 2/3 of the new replacement cost.
 
OArifleman, it's selling for $499.00, and I will try to talk him down some from that.
I'll let you know. I can run by there this afternoon.

Jim
 
I checked it out. Dropping a slim penlight- it's what I had, showed the bore to be shiny clean. It almost looked like a small amount of pitting, but something else I saw made me think.
There is no, zero, none, powder fouling or powder residue at the flash hole, none in the pan, and none in the bore that I could see.
I think this might, just might, have not been fired. The flint is chipped, and the frizzen has a few scratch marks on it but is otherwise smooth.

I didn't get it today since he wouldn't offer me much on the Savage .270 I wanted to do a partial trade on.
Later, when I get the cash, I will buy it if it's still there.
See my post in percussion for what I did walk out with though.

Jim
 
Jumpshot, I didn't ask. One reason is that I just haven't been able to get really excited about the musket. I did come home with another TC Hawken, and have wanted a flintlock longrifle, but the musket just didn't do it for me.
I will probably go ahead and put it on layaway or something. I hate to let a bargain pass me by, but I also hate to think that I will buy it just because it's a deal and for no other reason.
I guess if nothing else it can be trade bait for a flintlock later on.

Jim
 
Man, if you don't buy that smoothbore for yourself, buy it for me. :grin: Seriously though, if you have ever thought about getting a smoothbore that is a good deal. But i am sending you a PT.
 
Apropos to nothing above, the M.1777 was called the "five foot clarinet" by the Revolutionary Troopers of the 1790's! :haha:
 
I may be lacking...but what is a Revolutionary Trooper of the 1790's ?
The revolution was over years before the 90's...
but I do know that the clairinet was in its early stages of evolution at that time...it only had 5 keys.
 
OK, I picked it up today. I paid $450.00. How does that sound?
I will check it out later. We will be out of touch for the weekend and I won't have a chance to do much with it. I'll post details when I get a chance.

Jim
 
At $450 you got a real bargain. You will have a lot of fun with it. If you don't like the gun you should have no problem selling it at a profit.

Congratulations you are now a member of the large bore contingent.

Many Klatch
 
Well now...IT'S ABOUT TIME you bought that CHARLEVILLE! I was beginning to think I should give that panwshop a call...and have him ship it to me.......That price was RIGHT!
Now that you have it in your cabin,
keep us updated.........
 
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