CIVIL WAR IMPORTED FRENCH RIFLED-MUSKET AND RARE BAYONET

CIVIL WAR IMPORTED FRENCH RIFLED-MUSKET AND RARE BAYONET

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$1,350.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 2026-2091

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

This musket started life as a Model 1840 smooth bore of .69 caliber made with a Patent or screw in breech. At some time prior to 1857 its bore was rifled and the Thouvenin Pillar Breech System installed. These arms were relied upon a pillar in the breech to assist with the mechanical engagement of the bullet with the rifling. A new heavy cupped ramrod was used to force the bullet against a post or pillar-like projection at the rear of the chamber. The powder for the charge surrounded the pillar and the impact of the ramrod on the nose of the bullet was intended to force the base of the bullet to expand against the pillar and engage the rifling. The system was probably quite functional on paper and probably equally so in testing. In the field, however, it was a disaster. The bullet often landed on the pillar slightly off-center or tilted, and the resulting impact simply deformed it and often forced the base to engage some rifling, but not necessarily all of it. The deformed bullet then left the muzzle with erratic accuracy at best.

Additionally, the powder fouling around the pillar had to be meticulously cleaned or eventually the carbon buildup and residue would result in the new powder charges covering the pillar preventing the bullet from seating correctly and impacting the pillar with any real force when rammed. Again, this created very erratic accuracy. The pillar itself could even be eroded by the constant heat and corrosive components of the percussion caps, resulting in it weakening and possibly breaking. Of all the French rifle systems of the mid-19th century it was the least reliable as it relied solely on the soldier’s ability to maintain the weapon to perfection and load it perfectly to work as designed. After a decade of dealing with the Thouvenin rifle’s numerous short comings, the French finally adopted Claude Minié’s expanding base ammunition design, and adopted the Model 1857 rifle, officially making all of the earlier designs obsolete. Rifled-muskets like this one offered had their pillars removed after the adoption of the Models 1857 and 1859 and subsequently saw service with traditional Minié ammunition. Configured thus these weapons were exported by the thousands to America in the early years of the Civil War principally by the North.

This Minie rifled-musket has a total length of 57 1/2 inches and a 43-inch-long barrel. The rifling is shallow but all there. The barrel is profusely proofed, and serial numbered with the tang engraved "Mle 1840". There is a "T" stamped near the breech indicating that it was arsenally modified. There is an elevating rear ladder type sight graduated up to 900 meters which was put on after 1859. There is a block and blade front site on the barrel. The barrel's surface is gunmetal gray in color but turning to a pleasant light brown. The barrel is held in place by 3 iron bands that are in turn held by springs. Their color matches the barrel. The butt plate is iron, and the large, cupped ramrod is the original one installed after the arm was rifled. The trigger guard assembly is iron. The walnut stock is very nice with no breaks or repairs but shows signs of moderate field use. The back-action lock is engraved: "Mfe Rle" over " de St. Etienne". Its mechanics are perfect. Both sling swivels are intact. The rare perfectly matching bayonet is the Model 1822/40 but it has had at the arsenal a tiny iron button sight inserted in the socket; the shooter could then aim at objects beyond what the conventional sight on the barrel permitted.

This rifled-musket was one of thousands that made the journey to America to fight the Civil War. It is 100% correct and with its rare bayonet in place extra special.  [pe][ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

 

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