The increasing popularity of both French and Indian War and Revolutionary War reenacting has created a growing problem - a lack of historically accurate weapons that are suitable for 18th Century reenacting. While there is a large variety of Civil War reproduction weaponry available, the 18th Century reenactor is limited to Charleville and Brown Bess replicas when choosing a military-style weapon for his impression. While these Pedersoli replica weapons are passable for a casual "weekend warrior" they aren't historically accurate enough to fit a reenactor who has really taken to the time to assemble a perfect uniform with perfect accouterments. Additionally, the fact remains that most soldiers in the Continental army weren't armed with brand new Brown Besses and Charlevilles, but a hodge podge of obsolete French, Dutch, and Germanic weapons. This means that, for most units, the only proper way to complete an authentic Colonial American kit is with a weapons like this: a custom built M1728/46 French musket.
The M1728 musket was adopted by the French in 1728. The model was updated in 1746 with the addition of a steel ramrod. It served as France's standard infantry musket for a majority of the mid 18th Century until it was officially replaced by the M1763 "Charleville". This meant, that by the 1770's France had large store houses of now obsolete M1728/46 muskets that they were more than happy to sell to the Colonial armies of North America. As a result these muskets were extremely plentiful on the Revolutionary War battlefield; and their usage by American rebels is very well documented throughout the entirety of the war.
This particular musket is built from castings taken off original muskets, this piece started as an unassembled kit from the Rifle Shoppe. The builder of this musket did a beautiful job in assembling this kit, and his attention to detail has produced a 1:1 scale reproduction of an original in both size and weight. One look at this musket and it's immediately clear that it share's very little in common with it's Italian or Indian produced counterparts. The stock and furniture are much more graceful and organically-shaped than other reproductions and the finishing work is in a class all it's own.
The lock is unmarked, like the originals. The lock throws a reliable spark and the cock holds solid on both full and half cock. The stock shaping is very finely executed and all the dimensions are all the same as originals. The stock also had a hand scraped finish just like the originals.
The 46" barrel is in nice shape with historically accurate British proof marks applied to the breech. The bore is great with no major rust or pitting.. The furniture is nicely browned; like the originals.
This musket comes with a correct bayonet.
This musket is sure to be the pride and joy of any 18th Century enthusiast.
