Can anyone identify the makers' mark on this early musket?

[smokeythecat]

Any help would be appreciated. Also has a small "P" stamped on the top of barrel near the lock.

 

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[digging440yrs]

You could sprinkle some white powder on it, like flour, then with a light wipe all the letters will pop out

 

[Tpmetal]

I dunno but it looks cool, can we see the whole thing?

 

[osage express]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charleville_musket
I think this is it

 

[smokeythecat]

Thanks. I think it's a Rev War Charleville also. Not exactly sure of the model year. If the "P" is what I think it is, then it's a Pennsylvania Committee of Safety musket, and I can retire! Well, not really. All the furniture on it is iron and the hammer is rounded, not flattened.

 

[Tpmetal]

super cool

 

[smokeythecat]

Saw it at an antique store a few years ago. It followed me home.

 

[Tpmetal]

Saw it at an antique store a few years ago. It followed me home.

I don't blame ya, I wish more things like that followed me home!

 

[smokeythecat]

No, especially with minerals collections. I had to sell most of my minerals, the house was going to collapse. (Not really, but it makes for a good one-liner.)

 

[releventchair]

Not able to read it on this device. Looks French.
There is a " touch mark" / car touche at top of lock plate , between hammer and pin behind the pan?

 

[osage express]

Look for a C P just behind the trigger guard On the wood

 

[smokeythecat]

I never saw any marks on the wood.

 

[osage express]

Charleville, T. French Musket
This is some of the marks Hope this helps

 

[ARC]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charleville_musket
I think this is it

...

 

[smokeythecat]

There is a distinctive "P" on top of the barrel between the pan and the hammer.

 

[releventchair]

Signature's engraved on many Charleville's locks are the makers. (not certain if that means lock maker ,or whole rifle).
Armory/arsenal touch marks are often on the lock too. Might be the top mark on the o.p.'s lock. (Charleville was one arsenal ,but not the only one producing "Charleville's...)

One American mark of P was Pa.
Paris had a mark too.
Some guns were assembled with French parts and American barrels. (Help ,I'm rabbit hole falling..)

 

[smokeythecat]

I'll try to determine the other mark on top of "Charleville". I think it started out life as a Charleville, then the Americans got ahold of it and made it work. If you remember the phrase "lock, stock and barrel", THIS is what they were referring to. They would make any gun they had work for them.

 

[releventchair]

I'll try to determine the other mark on top of "Charleville". I think it started out life as a Charleville, then the Americans got ahold of it and made it work. If you remember the phrase "lock, stock and barrel", THIS is what they were referring to. They would make any gun they had work for them.

There was one mention of an French armory mark being altered/ defaced by a builder/ modifier.
Not sure why ,if ill will during a war ....or if consistent markings for an American firm were desired to create traceability of it's war time issue rather than the provenance of it's parts.

Not overly unusual to have imported guns refitted ,or remarked for military use.

 

[smokeythecat]

You are correct relevantchair.

 

[Tpmetal]

this is a great thread, I'm learning allot