The Last Charleville — The Model 1777flintlock musket,The Charleville pattern musket served as
The Last Charleville — The Model 1777flintlock musket,The Charleville pattern musket served as the primary arm of France beginning in the earl 18th century. In 1777 the Charleville model was introduced which was an improvement on all other previous models. One of the biggest improvements of the Model 1777 was a slanted brass flashplan, angled in such a way that gravity would force the priming powder towards the flash hole. Brass was also thought to encourage better ignition of the priming powder, which increased the chance of a successful discharge. In addition a cheek rest was carved on the left hand side of the stock. Various other modifications were made to the stock, barrel, and barrel bands which made the musket stronger and lighter.The Model 1777 first saw action during the American Revolution when 4,000 French troops landed in New England and took part in the Battle of Rhode Island in 1778. Later the French played a pivotal role in the siege of Yorktown in 1781. In the meantime French troops clashed with the British in the Caribbean, Europe, and in India. It is a common myth that the French supplied the Continental Army with Model 1777’s, however the new muskets were reserved exclusively for French troops. Instead older model Charleville muskets were sent to America.The Model 1777 would again play a major role during the French Revolution and subsequent Napoleonic Wars. In 1800 First Consul and future Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte personally ordered a set of specific modifications to the Model 1777. This included minor modifications to the lock, stock, and bayonet mount. The new model was called the M1777 Corrige (corrected or improved). The Model 1777 Corrige would serve as the mainstay of Napoleon’s armies as he conquered Europe, then was eventually defeated. Because of the demand for arms during the Napoleonic Wars, the vast majority of the 7 million M1777’s were the Corrige model. Further improvements would be made in 1816 and 1822.The Model 1777 Charleville would served the French Army up to the 1830’s. From that point arms production was moved the the St. Etienne Armory, and Charlevilles were eventually replaced with percussion muskets, and later rifled muskets. -- source link
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