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Antique French Flintlock Infantry Musket, by Versailles Arsenal

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:650.00 USD
Antique French Flintlock Infantry Musket, by Versailles Arsenal
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Antique French Flintlock Infantry Musket, by Versailles Arsenal, NVSN, .75 cal., 40.5" round barrel without sights has bayonet lug 1" behind muzzle, marked at breech "P.B" and "(scorpion)"; flat lockplate rounded at rear with elongated teat has reinforced cock and separate brass pan, marked "sunken (crest)/MF LE/M Imp/De Versailles"; furniture includes 2-pc. brass trigger guard with finial tang and iron sling loop at front, two finger ridges at rear, iron buttplate, serpentine brass sideplate, three spring-retained bands (brass double-strap upper with integral blade sight and nosecap/ferrule retaining the steel tulip-tip ramrod, unusual iron double-strap middle with sling loop, brass lower); fullstock of oil-finished walnut has illegible 1" roundel with central lead plug at right butt, dished cheekpiece with large carved "P" at left. Mfg'd ca. late 1700s-early 1800s. Condition is very good, the barrel with an added brown finish and heavy pitting at breech obscuring other markings there, lock has light corrosion obscuring much of its lettering, pitting to upper buttplate, brass with a dark age patina. Stock is sound with light dings, shallow scrapes and losses, two thin 2" cracks emanating from rear sideplate. Iron middle band is enigmatic; unsure if original to this gun. Action is strong and sure, smoothbore shows overall moderate erosion. Est.: $1,000-$1,500. (Antique)