[mdtom]

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I'm trying to identify this old musket. It has a 44 inch barrel, and 60 inches overall. The bore measures 68.75 inches so I think it's a 68 or 69 caliber, smoothbore. No marking except the faint letters on the side plate.

 

[munrod]

Looks like a percussion conversion of one of the French influenced or, if old enough, French produced .69 cal flintlock muskets fielded by the U.S. prior to 1842. The conversions, a probaly some that hadn't been converted, were used by both sides in the Civil War. Which specific model I can't say.

Can you make out the letters on the lockplate? They might help in identfying the orignal manufacturer/model.

 

[mdtom]

Tahnks

Thanks for the reply, I attached another picture that I zoomed in on, hope that helps.

 

[TP]

Good post Munrod. MDTom, may I ask what state are located in? Do you know any history of this musket? I seem to be able to make out script writing on the lockplate, that means French. Details are sketchy, can you post better pictures of the barrel bands? Going on the information I can gather, I am guessing that it is a French M1763 or more likely a M1766, the musket that was the most commonly sent to the Colonies by our French allies during the American War of Independence. It was considered elderly at the time of the percussion era but that is definitely an American military conversion with what appears to be an Enfield P53 style hammer which was commonly imported here during the American Civil War. Very interesting.......... Please try to post more detailed pictures. Are there any visible markings on the barrel or on the stock? If so, pictures of those would help as well.

 

[TP]

Thanks for the reply, I attached another picture that I zoomed in on, hope that helps.

That helps, it appears to have been made at "Maubeuge" arsenal in France so it is French.

 

[mdtom]

Thanks

Wow great info on the muskets, I have been searching for weeks with not much sucess. I'm in Maryland. The only barrel band on the gun is the lower, that is one reason I looking for it's origin. I hope to find the middle and top one day.

 

[munrod]

That helps, it appears to have been made at "Maubeuge" arsenal in France so it is French.

That is cool. I thought the stock contour looked early but wasn't confident enough to say so. There can't have been a whole lot of of the French imports in good enough condition to merit conversion

 

[mdtom]

Guys

Thanks for all the info on the musket. These are pictures from the bottom of the barrel. That is all the markings that I can find. The lower barrel band is the only band on the musket. I received this from an estate and do not know the history.

 

[mdtom]

Brass

Does anyone know why or what the brass plug is for on the bottom of the barrel?

 

[TP]

Excellent pics. It is definitely French but the conversion to percussion was here in North America. As to the brass, without having it in hand, I have to say that the brass on the bottom of the barrel is not a plug, it is extra brass that ran down when the bolster was brazed on and was not removed when the clean up was done.

May I suggest that you have a very good piece there, despite the fact that the two front bands are missing? Please do not "clean" the gun other than to remove any loose dirt. And especially, do not attempt any restoration. I have been confirming some information that hit me when I first saw your pics and would like to discuss it with you but I am leary of discussing it on the open forum without your permission. If you would like, I can PM you with the info or I can go ahead and give you my opinion here. Let me know what would work best for you.

 

[mdtom]

Reply

Thanks for the info, you can emails me at [email protected]

 

[GI JOE JR]

Hello from gi joe

i sent you a pm joe

 

[mdtom]

That's mdtom_b underscore

 

[TP]

Thanks for the address, I'll try to get to it tomorrow but it may be Monday.

 

[mdtom]

Thanks

I would like to thank all who responded to my post. Especially T.P who knowledge and help has pointed me in the right direction.