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1763 Charleville
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 5:18 pm
by 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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Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 5:24 pm
by desdem12
Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 5:26 pm
by 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.

Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 5:36 pm
by tjtM38
Beautiful piece of history! Appropriate that you would post this rifle during the anniversary of our liberty.

Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:03 pm
by Gsragtop
Wow, if it could only talk the stories it would tell.. Thanks for sharing !!
Ps, do you still fire it ??
Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:11 pm
by Junk Yard Dog
Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:12 pm
by Junk Yard Dog
Gsragtop wrote: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.
Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:26 pm
by Darryl
Junk Yard Dog wrote:Gsragtop wrote: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.

Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:31 pm
by ponycarman
Beautiful rifle!
Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:33 pm
by BubbaDX
Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 6:37 pm
by etprescottazusa91
Extraordinary rifle, once again I'm in awe

Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:38 pm
by Gsragtop
dolk wrote:Junk Yard Dog wrote:Gsragtop wrote: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

Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 7:51 pm
by Darryl
Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 8:40 pm
by Greasemonkey
Wow

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

Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 4:35 am
by Junk Yard Dog
Gsragtop wrote:Gsragtop wrote:
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?

Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 7:47 am
by Rongo
Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 8:21 am
by martin08
Independence Day is the perfect day to break that out for all to see. It is an honor, Dolk!
Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 6:20 am
by Junk Yard Dog
Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 6:40 am
by 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.
Re: 1763 Charleville
Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 3:38 pm
by Junk Yard Dog