Help With Brand Markings on a Ca. 1735 French Infantry Musket/Fusil

[dtiques]

The fusil has an octagon to round, band fastened .71 caliber, 44" barrel with a top mount bayonet lug and iron trumpet head ramrod. Original 1728 lock and 1728 iron hardware. Worn markings on the breech top and lock face. What appears to be the letter "E" can be seen faintly forward of the hammer. As in most of these early military arms, the gun has seen arsenal upgrades and repairs. A working period bushed touch hole and the frizzen has been re-faced. A small repair where the rounded tang existed is also pictured and a swivel was added to the back of the trigger.  The stock may or may not have been replaced during it's military life. My concern is that the butt does not exhibit the exaggerated roman nose that we see on the earlier French fusils/muskets.

The main reason for posting these picture is for possible help with the branding. On the right side of the butt is a "PXP" over a "BRC". On the left side of the stock is a deeply branded "PXP" or "PKP" on the butt and behind the side plate. I have seen reference to a French Royal Order dated 1743 that was sent to Canada stating that military muskets were to be marked "AU ROY" as well as bear the mark of a company captain.

[backsplash75]

Interesting composite gun, the stock profile and swivel placement has a lot in common with Prussian/Potzdam guns. The wedding band transition on the barrel shouldn't be there.





Here are some original stock brands (note the serif) on a French 1728 with Au Roy on the opposite side of the butt.






possibly candidate for the E mark.

[WESTbury]

Page 168-170 Bill Ahearn's Muskets of the Revolution discusses the Spanish M1757 which were brass mounted having barrel markings such as "E X S". Some features of "dtiques" musket resemble the Spanish musket, including the sling swivel arrangement and buttstock profile.

[backsplash75]

Page 168-170 Bill Ahearn's Muskets of the Revolution discusses the Spanish M1757 which were brass mounted having barrel markings such as "E X S". Some features of "dtiques" musket resemble the Spanish musket, including the sling swivel arrangement and buttstock profile.

The Spanish muskets had a stud threaded behind the TG. The swivel under the TG seems to be Prussian uber alles.