French Model 1777 Pattern Musket (Charleville Musket)

 

The M1777 French Pattern is a .69 caliber, smoothbore, flintlock musket.  It is commonly referred to as the Charleville musket, named such after the armory in Charleville-Mezieres, Ardennes, France. It measures about 60 inches long and weighs about 10 pounds, with a production volume of around 7 million units.  There were a few modifications over the M1766 including to the stock, flash pan, and trigger guard.  The M1777 also came in additional versions: Artillery (36 inch barrel), Dragoon (42 inch barrel), and Navy (42 inch barrel and all brass furniture).

The colonial soldiers used both M1763 and M1766 Charleville muskets during the Revolutionary war.  About 25,000 in total made their way from France to America.  The French soldiers used both the M1766 and the latest M1777 Charleville while fighting to support the fight for independence.  For more details, click here.

 

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