WHEN IS A "STANDARD MODEL 1766 CHARLEVILLE", NOT?

[WESTbury]

LOT# 1026 in Morphy's Nov Auction is billed as a "standard Model 1766 Charleville". In fact, it has an U.S. 1808 Contract barrel, Harpers Ferry Pattern, attested to by the barrel proof of an Eagle Head surmounting "CT" in an oval and a bayonet lug on the bottom of the barrel. Also, the very ill-fitting rear barrel band with a squared off bottom projection is not from a 1766 Charleville.
https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/_A__REGIMENTALLY_MARKED_FRENCH_MODEL_1766_CHARLEVI-LOT553352.aspx

The stock, lock, and triggerguard do look to be correct Charleville components. Perhaps this musket damaged in service and put back into service, possibly at a State of Maryland arsenal, using "on hand components. This was not an uncommon practice. 

See pages 178-179 of Moller's American Military Shoulder Arms for info on the barrel proofs.

Photo below shows the correct proof marks from a Charleville M1766 Flintlock Musket.

[jruff5585]

Well I'm not an expert, but I did play one on TV. I do have 4 Charleville's a 63, 66, 68 and an American restocked 66.
 I'm not in any position to argure with Moller But my 66 has a lower spring band, also every part of my musket has the same filed number even the bayonet lug and screws, Newman says 68 was the first year for the lower band. The spring bands on the auction gun are thicker then my 66 or 68 more like a 63 and the upper part of the trigger does not match any of mine and the ramrod is wrong.
This was great timing as I'm doing fall cleaning of my guns and these were next. So my guess a standard 66 is when it's mostly 66 parts. I would not call my restocked 66 standard but it is US surcharged along with the 63 and 66

[jruff5585]

Are they saying this is Revoltionary war the 69th of foot or the fighting 69 Civil War

[WESTbury]

Are they saying this is Revoltionary war the 69th of foot or the fighting 69 Civil War

I'm pretty sure that the regiment reference is for a Maryland militia regiment post Rev War.

You have a nice collection of muskets!

[jruff5585]

Thanks WESTbury.

I cannot find any mention of a 69th Reg or Brigade in Marylnd. I have had a few experances with Murphy's. Overall good, two not so great on the discriptison, but in my favor and one not. And I'm way more then happy with the turnout

[WESTbury]

I cannot find any mention of a 69th Reg or Brigade in Marylnd. I have had a few experances with Murphy's. Overall good, two not so great on the discriptison, but in my favor and one not. And I'm way more then happy with the turnout

I've only purchased five antique firearms via auctions and have been lucky and satisfied with the results, Morphy's being one of those houses. However, from what I've seen in the online descriptions versus reality, I would never purchase anything of great value, or something that I did not quite a bit about, without traveling to the auction house and inspecting what I was considering bidding on. 

[ntqlvr1948]

 I have a musket Model 1763 made at St Etienne. I sent pics of the top of barrel and stock. And on the left side of the stock there is a marking of letters in a square pattern. Can anybody tell me what they stand for? the right side has the NI New Jersey marking.

[jruff5585]

Well I can coment on the stamp on the left of the stock. I think it is an inspection mark from the factory. My 1763 Maubeuge  and
1766 Charleville have them in the same spot.

[WESTbury]

Well I can coment on the stamp on the left of the stock. I think it is an inspection mark from the factory. My 1763 Maubeuge  and
1766 Charleville have them in the same spot.

Yea, the French and British as well as others, U.S. included, had a penchant for stamping ID letters and symbols into the sides of the buttstock and stockflats. I know a fella that collects solely on the basis of these marks for a specific country.