Original Civil War Era French Charleville Mle 1816 Musket Converted to Percussion Rifle for Baden Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available – As used in the U.S. Civil War. Just received out of a large collection of Antique guns in South Carolina. This is very unusual and interesting, being both rifled and in such a good condition. This started life as a French M-1816 “Charleville” Flintlock Musket, part of the long line of French Flintlock musket versions. These were the standard muskets of the line from 1717 until the Percussion Model of 1842. This was one of the last flintlock models put into service.

In the years since it was produced, it was both converted to percussion, and now has a very nice .70″ five groove rifled barrel, bored out from .69″. From the research undertaken by the collector we purchased from, it was determined that this
particular Flintlock Rifle was converted to percussion in Württemberg for the German Grand Duchy of BADEN, no doubt being later sold into the United States, probably to the Confederacy for the Civil War,

There are various markings on the barrel, but it looks like many markings, such as those on the lock plate, were removed, as trade with the Confederate States had to be done discreetly. This fine example has definitely had a long and interesting history. It is marked 1816 on the barrel tang, but we do not know if this is the date, or the model, which was only produced for 6 years before the model 1822 was introduced. There is what looks to be a German Style regiment marking on the butt plate II. 1295., and the side of the barrel is marked with serial number 263.

Condition is quite nice, with a solid stock, with the expected dents and wear from long service. The metal work is a nice aged steel, with a dull light gray patina. The bore is clear, and still shows clear rifling, with a lot of reflection, so it is not very oxidized. The rifling is 5 groove, not the typical 4 groove seen on rifles converted by the French. The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full. It also has a very nice flip up ladder sight in place of the standard fixed sight. It is also marked with serial number 263.

This a good representative example of the many interesting European cast-off weapons that crossed the ocean to serve during the American Civil War, and would be a nice addition to any display of imported arms, having been updated prior to sale.

In lovely condition, a French M-1816 Percussion Converted Rifle ready to research and display!

Year of Manufacture: c.1816 – Converted Later
Caliber: .70″ with five groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 43 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 59 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

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