French flintlock musket model 1777 "Charleville", replica with Italian proof marks
Iron and walnut, flintlock musket after the French infantry musket model 1777, caliber .69, replica. Long round barrel, on the side of the breech the proof marks "11 gSP 35 gPb", star in shield, coat of arms stamp and "Kal.17.8mm", on the tang "Mle 1777", full walnut stock with three spring-retained iron barrel bands, sling swivels on the middle band and on the trigger guard, iron butt plate. Flintlock with cock with flint jaws, brass-colored pan, frizzen and frizzen spring, lock plate engraved "Mre imp. de St etienne", stamp above it, curved iron side plate on the opposite side. Very good condition commensurate with age, mechanism works. L. 153 cm
The French infantry musket model 1777, usually called "Charleville" after the manufactory in Charleville, was built in Charleville, Maubeuge, Saint-Étienne and Tulle and remained the standard weapon of the French infantry into the Napoleonic Wars. Its distinguishing features are the three barrel bands, the slanted brass pan and the .69 caliber. The engraving on the lock plate names the Manufacture impériale de Saint-Étienne, as the factory was styled in the Napoleonic era. Replicas of this musket are made in Italy, proofed at the Gardone Val Trompia proof house and used for reenactment and black powder shooting.