1763 Charleville

[Darryl]

Brough my "baby" home today. She has been on display for the last week for the 4th of July.

Early model 1763 French Charleville. US marked on lock and ramrod. This rifle was taken in the French and Indian wars in Canada from the French, then used by the US during the Revolution. Probably survived the war of 1812 also as arms were short. It is still in flintlock configuration which means it was retired before Percussion was started as they converted any flintlock still usable into percussion. This is the real deal, not a reproduction.

Happy 4th!





By early model I mean, it has no rear barrel band spring. They added that pretty quick as they had problems with the rear band sliding off. Also, they were still using the earlier hammer from the previous model. They would use up their older model parts first. There are only a few versions of this 1763 early model left. The Smithsonian also has one.







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[desdem12]

This is an extraordinary rifle.

[Darryl]

I am very protective of my Rev War flintlocks. I only display two of them.


But, they are not my oldest firearm, but this is one that makes me proudest to own. Think of what it went through.

I can't afford to collect them any more because they climbed way out of my price range now.

[tjtM38]

Beautiful piece of history! Appropriate that you would post this rifle during the anniversary of our liberty.

[Gsragtop]

Wow, if it could only talk the stories it would tell.. Thanks for sharing !!

Ps, do you still fire it ??

[Junk Yard Dog]

[Junk Yard Dog]

Wow, if it could only talk the stories it would tell.. Thanks for sharing !!

Ps, do you still fire it ??

That would be insanity bordering on the suicidal.

[Darryl]

Wow, if it could only talk the stories it would tell.. Thanks for sharing !!

Ps, do you still fire it ??

That would be insanity bordering on the suicidal.

No, if it were firered, it would lose value not to mention the terrable "risk" involved.

Could you imagine if something went wrong and I destroyed it?

No, it is happily retired.

[ponycarman]

Beautiful rifle!

[BubbaDX]

That is freaking awesome!

[etprescottazusa91]

Extraordinary rifle, once again I'm in awe

[Gsragtop]

Wow, if it could only talk the stories it would tell.. Thanks for sharing !!

Ps, do you still fire it ??

That would be insanity bordering on the suicidal.

No, if it were firered, it would lose value not to mention the terrable "risk" involved.

Could you imagine if something went wrong and I destroyed it?

No, it is happily retired.

I was just thinking with a light load, maybe just a powder load to hear it go boom

[Darryl]

[Greasemonkey]

Wow It's a 250 year old veteran, I'd say it's earned the right to be retired. Thats an incredible piece

[Junk Yard Dog]

quote]

I was just thinking with a light load, maybe just a powder load to hear it go boom

With you firing it with face held close to the barrel?

[Rongo]

WOW!! That is one fine piece of History.

[martin08]

Independence Day is the perfect day to break that out for all to see. It is an honor, Dolk!

[Junk Yard Dog]

[Ironnewt]

What a nice Musket and Thanks for sharing. If you want to see one fired, check out any bunch of guys that do Revolutionary War re-enactments or living history. (I used to do it when I was younger) I bought a Navy Arms Charleville and it was (and still is sweet) As the barrel is held on with bands as opposed to the pins used in a Brown Bess it was a snap to clean. Take off the lock, the tang screw and the bands and bring on the hot water and a shot gun brush. I started shooting it with a .685 ball then went to a .648 and finally a .600 when shooting in competitions. Marked the cartridges I rolled myself and loaded them in order in my cartridge box. The group I was in won the Governor's Cup for 5 years running.

[Junk Yard Dog]