In 1763, France adopted a new model infantry weapon later known as the “Charleville”, named after the main French arsenal that produced the weapon.  In 1766, the barrel was made thinner and lighter to reduce the weight of the weapon.  A number of changes were also made in 1768, 1770, 1771, 1773, 1774, and 1777.  This was the weapon most used by American troops during the revolution.  After the revolution and the creation of the national armories, the first American-made musket, the Model 1795, was patterned after the Charleville. 

     Our specimen is marked on the lock plate in front of the lock “D” “CHARLEVILLE” in two lines.  The opposite side of the lock plate is marked “N star O”.  It has the steel button style ramrod that was standard on the model 1766.  The exterior of the pan is beveled.  The model 1770 used a rounded pan, dating the piece to pre-1770.