The French began delivering sizable caches of arms to the American rebels in 1777 and increased the supply further when they officially entered to conflict in 1778. These Model 1766 muskets are sometimes referred to as "light Model 1763s" in period sources because they were a revised version of the heavier 1763 pattern. Marquis de Lafayette is said to have personally delivered 25,000 Charleville muskets to General George Washington. The 1766 Charleville was so influential that the first several patterns of muskets produced by American armories after the war were basically copies of the French pattern. This example follows the 1766 pattern and has a bayonet lug, blade front sight on the rear of the front barrel band, iron flash pan, 6 1/4 inch long lock marked with a faint "star/D" behind the bolster and faint "Charleville" at center. Other features include long trigger guard tangs, smooth stock, and button headed iron ramrod. Inspector mark "IP" behind the lower tang. Initials "BW" are carved into the left side of the buttstock. The overall length is 59 inches. The front band spring is broken.

Fair with light to mild pitting overall. The barrel has mottled brown patina. The stock is good as refinished with scattered dents, scratches, a small crack ahead of the rear lock screw, and a few chips. Mechanically excellent.