This musket was originally manufactured for the French military in the 1760s-1770s and was likely one of the muskets supplied to the American revolutionaries during the Revolutionary War or soon thereafter by our French allies covertly prior to their formal involvement or in larger numbers once they joined the fight in 1778. Without French assistance, we very well may have lost the war, but instead, we fought side by side with our French allies and defeated the British and received favorable treaty terms that extended far beyond the original thirteen colonies. The French Model 1763 and 1766 muskets were widely used by the patriots and became the basis of the first U.S. martial muskets in the 1790s and beyond at the new Springfield Armory and then Harpers Ferry. The right side of the butt has a partial smaller two-line "UNITED/STATES" marking and a larger partial "US" brand. Similar markings are known to have been applied both during the Revolution and after. It has a bayonet stud on top of the barrel, brass blade rear sight on the rear of the upper barrel band, a "D75" marking on the left side of the barrel near the breech, "I-B-I" inside the lock plate, French "D" with a star above inspection marks on the lock behind the pan as well as on the trigger guard finial and buttplate (same inspection mark found on a Charleville Arsenal Model 1763 with U.S. surcharge markings in the Smithsonian collection), a deep "D" followed by a lighter "M" carved into the left side of the butt, and an iron ramrod. Most of the French markings appear to have been deliberately removed during the period of use.

Good with dark mottled gray and brown patina on the barrel, mostly dark brown patina on the remaining metal, moderate pitting, and general moderate wear consistent with many years of hard use possibly spanning from the French & Indian War into the early 1800s. The rear barrel bands have clearly been situated further back than normal for many years based on the difference in patina under the band. The top jaw and frizzen are period handmade replacements. The barrel tang has an old copper solder repair visible. These are relatively common on the U.S. "Charleville" muskets which were sometimes received as parts or in need of repair, and many were repaired once in the U.S. to keep them functional into the War of 1812 era and even beyond and are part of each weapon's unique history. The lock needs work and will not hold at full-cock. The stock is also good and has areas of darker applied finish, some gaps around the lock, general dents and scrapes consistent with military use, some empty pin holes, and the noted partially damaged U.S. markings. This is a very attractive musket that has clearly seen considerable use during its long service life early in our history.