Original French Modèle 1829T bis Percussion Converted Rifled Artillery Musketoon by Mutzig Arsenal – dated 1829 and 1866 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is very unusual and interesting, being both rifled and in such nice condition. This started life as a French Modèle 1829 Flintlock Artillery Musketoon, made at the Royale Arsenal in Mutzig. These were a shorter weapon intended for Artillery troops, who would not normally use small arms until enemies were very close. A long rifle was not suitable for this purpose, so shorter rifles, intended to be fitted with sword bayonets, were much more the norm. 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 rifled barrel, approximately 0.71″ in diameter, bored and worn from the original 0.69″. There are many markings on the barrel breech, including a clear 1829 date on the right side, along with 1991 on the left side, most likely a serial or inventory number, which is also stamped on the left side of the butt stock. There are also some faded marks as well, and Cde 17·6 for an 17.6mm bore, which is approximately .693″.

It is also marked M’le 1829 on the barrel tang behind the rear sight, for the model it was originally produced as. Behind the tang string is the T indicating the percussion “transformation”, and the word bis (again) behind this indicating another “transformation”, in this case the addition of rifling to the barrel. The lock is marked with the original maker information:

M’re R’le
de Mutzig

This is the abbreviation for Manufacture Royale de Mutzig (also known as Manufacture d’Armes de Mutzig), the Imperial Arsenal in the French town of Mutzig, located in the Château des Rohan (The Castle of Rohan). This was known as the “Imperial” arsenal previously, but after a Monarchy was restored in 1816, it became Royal again. It was however very close to the border with Germany, and eventually was closed.

The metalwork shows a lovely aged plum patina, with no major rust or other damage. It has the correct 650 meter rear sight, which is fully functional, and the bayonet lug is still present on the front right side of the barrel. We checked the lock, and it does function, but will fire at both full and half cock. The right side of the butt stock still has a crisp 1866 dated round Mutzig Arsenal cartouche from the last conversion, and there is also a clear MUTZIG under this. The stock is lovely, showing wear from service, but no major structural damage. There is an original ramrod under the barrel, which has a channel going far back into the stock, which makes it quite difficult to remove.

In lovely condition, a French Mle 1829T Bis Percussion Converted Artillery Musketoon, ready to research and display!

Year of Manufacture: 1829 updated later, last in 1866
Caliber: .693″ with four groove rifling
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 23 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 37 3/4 Inches
Action type: Side Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

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