Mystery Musket? French 'Charleville' from 1777?

Click here to watch part 1

   • Unwrapping History Ep. 2: 200+ year old, F...  

The following Links will take you my recommended Reference books available on Amazon
French Military Arms and Armor in America, 1503-1783
https://amzn.to/4f90H3W (Amazon)
French Military Small Arms
https://amzn.to/408x8eB (Amazon)
The Brown Bess; An Identification Guide and Illustrated Study of Britain's Most Famous Musket
https://amzn.to/4f2u1Ji (Amazon)
U.S. Military Flintlock Muskets and Their Bayonets: The Early Years, 1790-1815
https://amzn.to/4ePIF7k (Amazon)
U.S. Military Flintlock Muskets and Their Bayonets; The Later Years, 1816 through the Civil War
https://amzn.to/4h20zoG (Amazon)
Springfield Armory Infantry Muskets 1795-1844
https://amzn.to/48bKTLC (Amazon)
American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume II: From the 1790s to the End of the Flintlock Period
https://amzn.to/4fqEbE7 (Amazon)
American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume I: Colonial and Revolutionary War Arms
https://amzn.to/3BMymlT (Amazon)
Muskets of the Revolution
https://amzn.to/3YpOVNb (Amazon)

00:00 Intro
01:15 What I paid, Auction
02:01 What is a 1777?
06:45 My mistake, Youtube Comment
08:25 Correct Mdle 1777 Marks
09:33 Musket Inspection
15:35 1777 History Cont'd
16:14 Revolutionary War Era?
16:45 Modern composite rebuild?
17:05 Belgian No 1?
17:23 African Trade Gun?
17:45 My Thoughts
18:15 My Final Conclusion

The Model 1777 musket, also known as the Charleville musket, was a firearm that played a significant role during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was the primary musket used by the French army during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars.

The Model 1777 musket was a smoothbore, muzzle-loading firearm. It had a caliber of .69 inches and a barrel length of around 44 inches. The musket was typically made of iron or steel and featured a wooden stock. It weighed approximately 10 pounds, making it relatively lightweight for its time.

One of the notable features of the Model 1777 musket was its flintlock ignition system. The flintlock mechanism used a piece of flint to strike against a steel plate, creating sparks that ignited the gunpowder in the musket's flashpan. This, in turn, ignited the main charge in the barrel, propelling the musket ball forward.

The Model 1777 musket had a range of around 100 to 150 yards, with an accurate effective range of about 50 to 75 yards on man sized targets. It was accurate enough for massed volleys of fire, which were a common tactic during the time. The musket was typically loaded with a paper cartridge containing gunpowder and a musket ball. The soldier would bite off the end of the cartridge, pour the powder down the barrel, and then ram the ball and paper down with the musket's ramrod.

The Model 1777 musket also featured a bayonet lug, allowing soldiers to attach a bayonet for close combat. This made the musket a versatile weapon, suitable for both ranged and melee engagements.

The Model 1777 musket was known for its reliability and durability, making it a popular choice among soldiers. Its design influenced future musket developments, and it remained in service with the French army until the mid-19th century.

Overall, the Model 1777 musket was a crucial firearm during its time, playing a significant role in various battles and campaigns. Its use by the French army helped shape military tactics and strategies of the era.