Am selling what "Firearms From Europe", second edition, calls a Belgian-made Piedmontese model 1844/60 .69 calibre rifled musket. Illustrated on page 228. At least 10,000 were imported into the U.S. by Boker and Hartley in 1862. This one bears the tiny crown and AF on the lockplate signifying August Francotte of Liege manufactured the piece. His inked round cartouche can be made-out on the buttstock. The weapon has had its original 42.5-inch barrel cut back to 42-inches, possibly when it was rifled between 1860 and '62. These were manufactured originally as percussion weapons. Notable for the distinctive knob at the top of the hammer spur and the screwed-on block rear sight at the breech.
This musket presents well. At some time the metal was cleaned and browned. All metal is iron, all pretty-much free of pitting and smooth. The refinished wood has some edges rounded a tad but is otherwise near perfect. Rammer a replacement. Sling swivels present and free-swinging. Lockwork is strong and positive. The .69 calibre bore is about good with strong rifling. It looks shootable or certainly suitable for a Hoyt reline. This piece ships a U.S. M.1840 bayonet (proper for a U.S. M.1842) perfectly.
Asking $750, less than an Italian rifled M.1842 copy. Not often seen. Private message me w/ e-mail address and I'll e-mail you photos if interested (don't know how to post them). Can be seen in western North Carolina or I'll be in line with it Saturday morning at the Dalton, Georgia Civil War relic show, God willing.
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