Page 57 - Auction84-Book2

AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS VOL. I BY MOLLER
LOT 1099 Documented French Flintlock Trade Gun Modified for a Bayonet - NSN, 72 cal., 42 3/8 inch part octagon
bbl., bright finish, hardwood stock. This gun is shown and discussed on pages 88 and 89 of “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume 1: Colonial and Revolutionary War Arms” by George Moller and noted as a French trade gun that
had its stock shortened and the brass bayonet lug added for use with a socket bayonet. He notes the lock is
similar to those used c. 1720-1742 by the French military. The only external markings are a faint “VI” marking
on the tail of the lock, the large branded “RM” on the left side of the stock, and Moller’s small “GDM”
collection mark near the toe. There are also “XXII” markings on some of the internal lock components. CONDITION: Good with a mix of gray and brown patina and mild oxidation/pitting on the lock and barrel, reworked pan and vent, some replaced lock parts, aged patina on the brass furniture, and
general moderate overall wear. The stock is about good and has several cracks, a noticeable large sliver o
f wood absent under the rear of the lock plate, and period repairs. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 1100 French Saint Etienne Model 1777 Flintlock Musket Dated 1791 with Bayonet - NSN, 69 cal., 44 3/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The Model 1777 infantry musket was used by French troops and some earlier examples were also sent to North America to assist the Continental
Army during the Revolutionary War with continued use through the Napoleonic Wars. Features a trumpet head ramrod, bottom mounted bayonet lug towards the muzzle, brass blade front sight on the rear strap of
the front barrel band correctly secured by a screw on its lower right, “crown/R” over an “M” and “68” marked on the upper left barrel flat at the breech, detachable brass flashpan on the lock, “91” date of manufacture above “St Etienne” marked at the center of the lock, “L/1791” faintly
marked on the right of the buttstock, smooth straight grip stock with a cheek recess cutout on the left of the buttstock, three barrel bands, finger grooves on the rear trigger guard tang, and a smooth buttplate. Includes a socket bayonet and reproduction leather sling. CONDITION: Good with scattered moderate pitting mixed with dark patina, and sharp markings on the lock and barrel. Stock is also good with scattered scratches, numerous scuffs on the left of the buttstock, some scattered pin sized termite holes, and some light chips at the toe. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is also good with scattered moderate pitting. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
Revolutionary War Era French Charleville Model 1766/71 Flintlock Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 69 cal., 44 7/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Model 1766 muskets such as this one were among the most heavily used firearms by the American rebels to fight the British during the Revolutionary War. Model 1766 infantry muskets are described on pages 336-340 of George D. Moller’s “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume I.” This example features a bayonet lug on bottom towards the muzzle that is 1 7/8 inches behind the muzzle, indicating this was a post-1771 French arsenal modification. Page 337 of Moller’s book explains, “The Model 1766 musket was originally fabricated with a 1/4” by 3/16” rectangular lug brazed to the underside of the barrel 1 1/8” behind the muzzle... In 1771 it was decided to return the lug to the underside, 1 7/8” behind the muzzle.” Features brass blade front sight mounted on the rear strap of the upper barrel band, faint “Charleville” marking at the center of the lock, a few crown proofs are visible at the breech, leather sling swivels mounted on the middle band and trigger guard finial. Initials that appear to read “IC” carved into the left of the buttstock, and initials “MB” branded into the right of the buttstock. Small “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a socket bayonet and later Swiss leather sling. CONDITION: Fair with smooth brown patina overall, some light muzzle wear from bayonet mounting, some scattered areas of light pitting, mild flash pitting, and a slightly enlarged touch hole. Stock is also fair as sanded and re-oiled with numerous scattered scratches and chips, some scattered cracks, an undersized comb, and carving and branding as mentioned above. Mechanically fine. Included bayonet is fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1102 French Charleville Flintlock Musket - NSN, 69 cal., 41 3/4 inch round bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. This period modified French musket has “RF” (Republique Francaise) by the vent and on the wooden plug on the left stock flat indicating use by the French Republic c. 1792-1804. It likely saw use in the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars. The bayonet stud has been repositioned to the upper right of the shortened barrel. The brass blade front sight is fitted on the rear of the upper barrel band. “C5” is marked on the left at the breech. The lock has a “crown/A” poincon and “Charleville” at the center. The side plate has inverted “crown/C” poincons. “No 5” is inscribed on the trigger guard tang. An unclear stamp is on the left side of the butt, “BPN” is carved on the right side, and George Moller’s “GDM” collection mark is stamped twice by the toe. Includes a black leather sling (torn edge). CONDITION: Good with a mix of brown patina and applied artificial brown, moderate oxidation and pitting, some replacement hardware (such as the cock and cock screw), and moderate overall wear. The stock has a piece absent from the left side of the shortened forend, chipping mainly around the lock mortise, a nail near the tail of the lock, some hairline cracks, and moderate scrapes and dings. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 1101
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