Original U.S. Revolutionary War Composite Flintlock Musket Made With French and British Components - Circa 1776

Original Item: One of a Kind. Purchased recently from a private collector, this is a very impressive U.S. Revolutionary War "Composite" Musket, made using parts on hand to help arm the often undersupplied Continental Army. At the time there were arms in North America from a variety of sources, many acquired long before the Revolution began. In particular, many weapons were acquired during the French and Indian War, which were then kept on hand. As the parts were still good, they would get reused as needed to make functional weapons.

This is one such example of a "Composite Musket", made using a British Style stock, possibly produced in America, along with older French components that were still serviceable. Combined with some new made American sheet brass fittings, it made a very capable weapon to be used by American Revolutionaries. The markings on the various parts are almost completely removed, most likely due to age and cleaning, or also possibly due to capture during the French and Indian war.

Aside from the British "Brown Bess" style stock, the musket features a Mle 1728 French Style lock, with the markings completely removed. It has seen very long service, with the frizzen having had another piece of iron brazed on top due to wear, and this piece of iron has itself partly worn through. The lock is completely and functional, though due to wear on the tumbler, it will fire at both full and half cock. The barrel is from a French Mle 1728/47 musket, featuring 8 inch breech flats, which due have some very faint partial markings, which we unfortunately have not been able to read.

The musket is all brass fitted, with the butt plate and side plate looking to possibly be original British manufacture, while the rest of the fittings were crafted from sheet brass. This includes a lovely brass escutcheon on the back of the wrist, which is engraved with a four petaled flower. This same design also appears on the trigger guard bow, along with some other designs. Of note is that the nose cap, ramrod pipe, and cleaning rod are nearly identical to those featured on an "American Musket", example 77.MM feaured on page 127 of George C. Neumann's incredible work, Battle Weapons of the American Revolution.

The stock is in lovely condition, with a great color, showing the expected wear from use and age. It definitely looks to be the part of the musket that saw the least service over the years. It does shoe some cracking on the left side under the barrel, as well as by the muzzle on both sides. It also has had the letters OW x M marked on the right side of butt stock, which we do not understand, and assume are initials or something.

It is very rare that we get a chance to offer such an interesting early American flintlock musket, with lots of potential for further research! Ready to add to your collection and display!

Specifications:-
Year of Manufacture: circa 1776
Bore Diameter: .74"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 41 Inches
Overall Length: 57Inches
Action type: Side Action Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

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