This is a Belgian contract French Model 1857 smoothbore musket from the Civil War era. These muskets were manufactured with an overall length of 49 3/4", with a barrel length of 34 1/4"and were .71 caliber. This one has been shortened to an overall length of 48 1/4", with a barrel length of 32 1/2". The stock has been shortened to a length of 26". Since all three barrel bands have been omitted, the barrel is now retained by the single tang screw and one pin through the stock. A small brass bead front sight has been added 1/4" from the end of the muzzle. A single iron ramrod thimble has been soldered onto the bottom of the barrel. A wooden ramrod now accompanies the musket turned shotgun. The shortened barrel has an even plum patina with a smooth exterior surface. It is moderately pitted around the bolster area and tang. There is no rear sight on the gun. The left side of the barrel is stamped MR on the flat and 1841 followed by the number 7, an unknown mark and the number 7 again. The letters G and C are faintly stamped on the top of the barrel. The right side of the barrel is stamped Cde 17-5, 586, the letter C within a rhomboid and the letter B within a rhomboid. The bore is turning dark but is not rusted or pitted. The lockplate still has some case color. The only stamp on the lock is a small PPS within an oval under the front lock retaining screw. The trigger guard and butt plate are iron. All the iron parts of the gun, to include screws heads, have a proof mark or inspectors stamp, in some cases both. The mechanics of the lock function perfect and are very crisp. The stock is a medium brown in appearance. The normal bumps and dings can be found, but no cracks or wood loss. The stock has a couple of stamps, on the right side is an oval stamp, but the oval is not legible. The left side of the stock near the butt plate is stamped 586, matching the barrel. This musket was originally made for the French military, but approximately 147,000 French and Belgium muskets were purchased by the US Ordnance Department. There are no known purchases made by the Confederacy of these weapons. At some point after the war this weapon was modified for use as a shotgun and has survived the past 155 years quite well.

Item # AA2986

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