French Charleville Model 1763 Flintlock Musket, Surcharged "US"
French Charleville Model 1763 Flintlock Musket, Surcharged "US"
- Description
- Physical Description
- French Charleville Model 1763 musket, surcharged "US" with bayonet.
- Specific History
- This French Charleville musket is stamped "US" on the metal lock plate.
- General History
- During the American War of Independence the French government supplied large quantities of muskets to the Continental army. Several arsenals in France produced muskets but the Charleville Model 1763 was the most common and soon all French muskets were referred to as "Charlevilles." In March 1777, some 25,000 Charleville muskets were received from France. George Washington implemented a resolution by the Continental Congress to stamp firearms as United States property to reduce theft.
- maker
- Charleville
- place made
- France
- made at
- France
- used
- United States
- associated place
- United States
- Physical Description
- metal (overall material)
- wood (part material)
- Measurements
- overall: 59 1/2 in; x 151.13 cm
- ID Number
- 1985.0783.21
- accession number
- 1985.0783
- catalog number
- 1985.0783.21
- collector/donor number
- M4L
- Credit Line
- Adriana Scalamandre Bitter and Edwin Ward Bitter for the Bitter Family Collection
- subject
- Firearms
- related event
- Revolution and the New Nation
- See more items in
- Armed Forces History: Armed Forces History, Military
- Military
- ThinkFinity
- Exhibition
- Price of Freedom
- Exhibition Location
- National Museum of American History
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
Comments
We have a 1763 Charleville carried by our distant grandfather, Sgt. Simon Giffin of the 9th CT Regiment (Col. SB Webb). I has been in the family continuously since the end of the War. Curiously it does not have any Armory markings, French or American. I can send a picture of the lock mechanism and the metal is free of stamping. Is it unusual that there are no French markings?
Phillip R. Giffin
Mon, 2017-09-25 11:09
I own an authenticated original 1766/74 Charleville Musket. It's only visable markings are a reversed capital E and a rack number 45. The E stands for St. Etienne arsenal in France. It's bayonet is American done by a local forge.
James M Espinosa
Sun, 2017-01-08 14:23
"I was wondering about the significance of the "IN " on the side of the stock. Inspectors mark? Also, is there a "V " on the other side with an "x " over it. Do you know whose marks these would be and if this was Revolutionary War used? I have a 1766 Charlesville with the same markings.Thank you,Chris Wieser"
chris wieser
Thu, 2014-05-15 12:37
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PETER SCHIFFERS
Tue, 2018-02-13 15:15