French Infantry Musket

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VAFO00000125.jpg

Title

French Infantry Musket

Description

This model offered advanced improvements in French musket design during the 18th century which would carry into the Napoleonic War years. The earliest muskets of the 1777 model were issued to forces under General Rochambeau's Army who arrived in America in 1780.
The musket includes a walnut stock which supports an iron barrel held by three iron barrel bands. The iron furniture includes the three barrel bands, trigger-guard plate and butt plate with a short rounded tang. A new feature of this model 1777 musket includes finger ridges added to the trigger-guard plate for better handling. The iron rammer includes a trumpet-style end. The musket's lock plate includes another new feature of this 1777 model, a non-corrosive brass flashpan. This model also included a recessed cheek rest cut into reverse stock comb

Caliber: .69
Weight: 8.8 lbs
Length: 59 7/8"
Barrel: 44 3/4"

Source

Brown, M.L. Firearms in Colonial America: The Impact on History and Technology 1492-1792. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1980.

Date

c. 1777

Rights

George C. Neumann Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park

Identifier

VAFO 125

Original Format

Photograph