Where should I Get My Miroku Charleville Defarbed?

[1General_Grant]

Before you dive into this defarb, I would heavily research the 1766 charleville musket history. Knowing more information is best, and ensuring that you’re relying on good information as to the person doing your defarb.

You mentioned passing the 1foot test, that’s a tall order to fill for a Miroku charleville..

Bianchi’s book offers some great detail into the features and variants of the 1766 Charleville.

Here is an example of an excellent defarb by Gutenberg one of the best I’ve ever seen ,not sure if he’s still in business.

These were navy arms parts on a restocked walnut stock. With some rifle shoppe hardware mixed in. The Miroku lock is a pretty decent copy, as is the barrel.

Notice the lock panels are much leaner, the finish is not dull, it’s a semi gloss varnish.

The front band has been slightly opened at the mouth, not as straight profiled.

The rammer is button shaped, correct for an early 1766/68.

Most importantly you’ll notice the buttstock is longer with deep flutes that are dished in.

This is your best 1ft test defarb in my opinion.

No discernible proof markings on the barrel are required too, there is no consistent pattern of visible proof marks on any Charleville barrel. You may find one or two with a C or M on the breech. So the barrel should be left plain.

http://gutenberggunshoppe.com/index_files/Page862.htm

Lastly the best person to do your defarb is the one that is most knowledgeable about the pattern gun, not the person willing to do the cheapest work. Do your research, document your findings and ask questions, defarb your musket based on your research. (For the 1ft test).

I want my gun to look as close as possible without having to buy any new parts for it, except for the ramrod.

 

[sturmkatze]

I want my gun to look as close as possible without having to buy any new parts for it, except for the ramrod.

I’d like Scarlett Johansson to call me “daddy” but it’s unlikely to happen.

 

[nhmoose]

Why defarb? Is the best question? So, someone who cannot tell at 3-5 feet? Are you that insincere?

Who cares.

 

[1General_Grant]

Why defarb? Is the best question? So, someone who cannot tell at 3-5 feet? Are you that insincere?

Who cares.

Because the gun will look more historically accurate and nicer.

 

[FlinterNick]

Because the gun will look more historically accurate and nicer.

All depends whose looking at it

 

[barracudadave67]

I have turned down good deals on guns that are defarbed. I wont buy them.

Dave

 

[1General_Grant]

I have turned down good deals on guns that are defarbed. I wont buy them.

Dave

That's pretty weird dude.

 

[Clark Badgett]

Before you dive into this defarb, I would heavily research the 1766 charleville musket history. Knowing more information is best, and ensuring that you’re relying on good information as to the person doing your defarb.

You mentioned passing the 1foot test, that’s a tall order to fill for a Miroku charleville..

Bianchi’s book offers some great detail into the features and variants of the 1766 Charleville.

Here is an example of an excellent defarb by Gutenberg one of the best I’ve ever seen ,not sure if he’s still in business.

These were navy arms parts on a restocked walnut stock. With some rifle shoppe hardware mixed in. The Miroku lock is a pretty decent copy, as is the barrel.

Notice the lock panels are much leaner, the finish is not dull, it’s a semi gloss varnish.

The front band has been slightly opened at the mouth, not as straight profiled.

The rammer is button shaped, correct for an early 1766/68.

Most importantly you’ll notice the buttstock is longer with deep flutes that are dished in.

This is your best 1ft test defarb in my opinion.

No discernible proof markings on the barrel are required too, there is no consistent pattern of visible proof marks on any Charleville barrel. You may find one or two with a C or M on the breech. So the barrel should be left plain.

http://gutenberggunshoppe.com/index_files/Page862.htm

Lastly the best person to do your defarb is the one that is most knowledgeable about the pattern gun, not the person willing to do the cheapest work. Do your research, document your findings and ask questions, defarb your musket based on your research. (For the 1ft test).

Nick, I have seen 2 Charlevilles with a 6 pointed star over a D, both on barrel and lock.

 

[FlinterNick]

Nick, I have seen 2 Charlevilles with a 6 pointed star over a D, both on barrel and lock.

I’ve only seen one, it was around 3mm just a French crown

They vary so much on earlier patterns and on 1763-1774

I think having the tang engraved is a nice touch.

 

[FlinterNick]

That's pretty weird dude.

There are more bad defarbs than quality ones

 

[wiscoaster]

Because the gun will look more historically accurate and nicer.

Yes, no doubt, only ... it will still just be a Charleville repro, but it will no longer be a Miroku. Remember, they're not making them anymore. Yours will have lost its value as one of a dwindling population. It all depends on why you have it, I guess. It's yours to do with as you wish. In this forum, when you ask "where", you're going to get a lot of replies asking "why".

 

[FlinterNick]

Yes, no doubt, only ... it will still just be a Charleville repro, but it will no longer be a Miroku. Remember, they're not making them anymore. Yours will have lost its value as one of a dwindling population. It all depends on why you have it, I guess. It's yours to do with as you wish. In this forum, when you ask "where", you're going to get a lot of replies asking "why".

How would a Miroku lose its value? They’re a commodity, people are paying between 1000-2000 for them depending on the condition. I’ve seen heavily used ones sell for 1100

 

[wiscoaster]

How would a Miroku lose its value? ....

If it's defarbed it loses its identity as a Miroku. Then it becomes more of a "custom" gun. Which will not be of value to someone who's looking for a Miroku. Value as a custom gun might even be more. But you have to add in the cost of defarbing. Who knows if one comes out ahead in the end with a custom gun? There's no market for price comparison. Something that's not being made anymore usually gains value over time without any further investment, simply because the market supply dwindles over time.

 

[1General_Grant]

Yes, no doubt, only ... it will still just be a Charleville repro, but it will no longer be a Miroku. Remember, they're not making them anymore. Yours will have lost its value as one of a dwindling population. It all depends on why you have it, I guess. It's yours to do with as you wish. In this forum, when you ask "where", you're going to get a lot of replies asking "why".

If it's defarbed it loses its identity as a Miroku. Then it becomes more of a "custom" gun. Which will not be of value to someone who's looking for a Miroku. Value as a custom gun might even be more. But you have to add in the cost of defarbing. Who knows if one comes out ahead in the end with a custom gun? There's no market for price comparison. Something that's not being made anymore usually gains value over time without any further investment, simply because the market supply dwindles over time.

I don't plan on selling mine unless I find one in amazing shape at a great price, and only if it was before I have my defarbed. After I have mine defarbed I wouldn't trade it for a stock one.

 

[Clark Badgett]

If it's defarbed it loses its identity as a Miroku. Then it becomes more of a "custom" gun. Which will not be of value to someone who's looking for a Miroku. Value as a custom gun might even be more. But you have to add in the cost of defarbing. Who knows if one comes out ahead in the end with a custom gun? There's no market for price comparison. Something that's not being made anymore usually gains value over time without any further investment, simply because the market supply dwindles over time.

95% of people buying Charleville repros are reenactors. Then again 95% of them are farbs so……

 

[springfield art]

They no longer offer defarbing services

2000? Wow! That's a lot of nice fine 'de-farbs' out there! In the future they will increase in desirability, and, who knows, One Hundred years from now, if there are still any shooting/collecting fellows around, they may not even be sure if they're "original" or not! Good work & good luck, Lodgewood!

 

[springfield art]

The serial number might be useful if it was stolen. Do you have a suggestion on where to have it defarbed?

States like NJ require registration with a Serial Number. I recently got a nice as-new un-assembled CVA Mt. Rifle from a guy in NJ who found it behind a cabinet in a clean out. From the 1980 period, he simply didn't want to hassle "registering" it, so it wound up with me in paper-free PA!

 

[springfield art]

I sometimes wonder why some of us are so fastidious about de-farbs, anyway?? Just wondering.

 

[FlinterNick]

States like NJ require registration with a Serial Number. I recently got a nice as-new un-assembled CVA Mt. Rifle from a guy in NJ who found it behind a cabinet in a clean out. From the 1980 period, he simply didn't want to hassle "registering" it, so it wound up with me in paper-free PA!

Nj registration is voluntary

 

[wiscoaster]

95% of people buying Charleville repros are reenactors. Then again 95% of them are farbs so……

Ummmm, I'm not, and mine isn't. Got any data to support that?