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LOT 170
Napoleonic Wars Era French Mutzig Model 1777 Flintlock Musket Dated 1811 - 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. This 1811 dated example would have likely been rushed into French service during 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 (second style without securing screw), “1811” dated on the upper left barrel flat at the breech, “M1777” marked on the barrel tang, detachable brass flash pan on the lock, Mutzig Arsenal markings at the center of the lock, 1811 dated circular stamp 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. Small “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked twice at the toe of the stock. Includes a reproduction leather sling. CONDITION: Good with scattered light pitting mixed with dark patina and sharp markings on the lock and barrel. Stock is very good with mostly defined edges, scattered scratches and dents, numerous glued repairs beneath the front barrel band, a crack on the left of the barrel channel ahead of the rear band, and crisp markings in the wood. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 3,250 - 4,500
LOT 171
Very Scarce, Historic, and Documented 1776 Dated Revolutionary War Era French Charleville Model 1763 Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 69 cal., 9 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This is a fine example of a Charleville Model 1763 flintlock pistol. The included notes with this gun indicate it was once sold by N. Flayderman & Co. in 1982, catalog 106 item 2341, in which Flayderman reportedly stated it was the best example ever cataloged by them at the time. Many French firearms such as these were imported for use by the American revolutionaries for their struggle against the English crown, with surviving examples typically showing signs of hard use. “Manufacture/de Charleville” signed lock, “M1763” model designation on the barrel tang, “DY76” 1776 dated inspection marking on the breech, “crown/N” stamps on the breech, barrel band, trigger guard and pommel cap, “ND” and “DY/76” stamped on the left stock flat, with a fleur-de-lis above “N” stamped inside the lock with matching “XIII” mating marks on the flash pan and some of the internal lock components. CONDITION: Very good, with some scattered light freckling on the otherwise bright iron surfaces, a few scattered patches of light pitting, attractive bright golden patina on the brass, and clear markings on the lock and breech. Stock is also very good with scattered scratches and dents, some scattered insect holes, a small chip ahead of the pommel, and visible stamps. Replacement iron ramrod. Mechanically fine. Provenance: N. Flayderman & Co.; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 172 Two French Model 1786 “Pierrier”1-Pounder Swivel Guns with Carriages - The French Model 1786 “Pierrier” is the first swivel gun standardized in French military service and was used by the French Navy until 1854. They would have been mounted on swivel yokes, and their comparatively light weight would have made them more maneuverable. They saw use during the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars, including in the Quasi-War with the United States. There is an example marked “Frerejean Freres Lyon, 1795” owned by the U.S. Navy marked as a prize that may have been captured during that conflict. Both of these examples measure approximately 40 inches from the muzzles to cascabels. The bores measure approximately 2 inches. They are fitted to wooden carriages. The first of the two is from the French Revolution and is marked “LIBERTE EGALITE” (French for “Liberty Equality”) above script letters “AN” (Armee Nationale) on top of the tube with “ROUEN GalAN3” around the breech and “Jean freres” (Jean brothers) on the rear of the breech. Jean Freres is noted in “Gun Founding and Gunfounders” by Kennard as active in Rouen, a city in northern France. The French Republican date of “AN3” (year 3 or September 22, 1794, to September 22, 1795) dates the piece to the same period as well as multiple naval battles, including the French defeats at the Battle of Genoa and Battle of Groix. Other documents also mention “Frerejean Freres” or “Frere-Jean Freres” as founders. For example, a document from Noel Point, Representative of the Committee of Public Safety at Cruezot in 1795 stated, “I spent four days here to visit this foundry in all its details. It offers great resources, but the Frere-Jean brothers, who were the entrepreneurs, were hampered by great obstacles, which their zeal and intelligence could not overcome. I have taken the necessary measures to give this foundry the activity that suits it...” In 1806, Frerejean Freres are noted as operating a foundry in Vienna, and the modern French champagne making company of the same name notes they descended from cannon makers that armed Napoleon’s armies. The second of the two appears to date to the latter period of this model’s use and has partially visible markings “BOIGUES...IG...PA 5...N.I4” around the breech. Jean Louis Boigues operated a major French foundry in 1820-1838 with a large foundry in Fourchambault. After his death, Boigues et Fils merged with other firms and became Societe Boigues & Cie in 1839. CONDITION: 1) Very good with mild wear and age darkening. 2) Good with mild wear and age darkening. The reproduction carriages are fine. Provenance: The Norman R. Blank Collection. Estimate: 8,500 - 15,000