NEW HAMPSHIRE 2ND BATTALION FRENCH MUSKET.

NEW HAMPSHIRE 2ND BATTALION FRENCH MUSKET. French Mod 1766 inf. musket dated (17)73 on the bbl with period armory modifications/repairs: bayonet lug on bottom of bbl (1771), no retaining spring or lower bbl band (introduced in 1773), brass bushing in touchhole. The stock cartouche is a crown over 2 letters, the first a “C”. The side plate is marked “P.F.” and rubbed on the right side of the letters appearing at g lance to be “FI”. Lockplate markings are light, most likely Charleville or Mauberge. Orig. 1766 pattern lock. The bbl is full-length and shows marks on top left breech: “73” indicating date of mfg. & NH battalion markings “NH 2 B No. 472”.On bottom of bbl at breech is “D” & fleur-de-lis with several small sunken rectangular cartouches. Bottom of bbl shows antitwist lug near muzzle, and a bayonet lug. Lug for ramrod retaining spoon spring is missing, but bbl notch for lug is present as is the stock cut-out for spoon. Touch-hole shows period brass bushing, but lock is orig. Ramrod is orig.

Approx. 11,000 French arms arrived in Portsmouth Harbor in March, 1777. About 2100 were allocated to NH for its 3 battalions of inf. in the Continental Army, and were marked with state battalion and rack numbers. These weapons saw action at Saratoga, Valley Forge, in the Philadelphia campaign, on Sullivan’s expedition against the Iroquois, and then in the North Department. In the hands of NH light inf. companies, some probably also saw service in the south and at Yorktown. They are the only American regimentally marked longarms of the Revolution. The 2nd NH Battalion, from which this musket comes, saw the heaviest service of the NH regiments. Its flags may still be seen at the NH Historical Society.

Out of some 12,000 French longarms brought into Portsmouth Harbor in March, 1777, about 2100 were allotted to NH to arm its 3 battalions serving in the Continental line. A Portsmouth silversmith was hired to make the stamps with which to mark the muskets and bayonets. Markings consisted of a ligatured “NH” followed by a number and a “B”, designating either the First, Second or Third battalion, then “No” and the rack number of the weapon. Bayonets were marked only with the rack number. Rack numbers run to about 700, corresponding to the established strength for Continental Army infantry battalions. 4-57424 (7,000-10,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3371D.	$10,925.00	NEW HAMPSHIRE 2ND BATTALION FRENCH MUSKET. French Mod 1766 inf. musket dated (17)73 on the bbl with period armory modifications/repairs: bayonet lug on bottom of bbl (1771), no retaining spring or lower bbl band (introduced in 1773), brass bushing in touchhole. The stock cartouche is a crown over 2 letters, the first a “C”. The side plate is marked “P.F.” and rubbed on the right side of the letters appearing at g lance to be “FI”. Lockplate markings are light, most likely Charleville or Mauberge. Orig. 1766 pattern lock. The bbl is full-length and shows marks on top left breech: “73” indicating date of mfg. & NH battalion markings “NH 2 B No. 472”.On bottom of bbl at breech is “D” & fleur-de-lis with several small sunken rectangular cartouches. Bottom of bbl shows antitwist lug near muzzle, and a bayonet lug. Lug for ramrod retaining spoon spring is missing, but bbl notch for lug is present as is the stock cut-out for spoon. Touch-hole shows period brass bushing, but lock is orig. Ramrod is orig. Approx. 11,000 French arms arrived in Portsmouth Harbor in March, 1777. About 2100 were allocated to NH for its 3 battalions of inf. in the Continental Army, and were marked with state battalion and rack numbers. These weapons saw action at Saratoga, Valley Forge, in the Philadelphia campaign, on Sullivan’s expedition against the Iroquois, and then in the North Department. In the hands of NH light inf. companies, some probably also saw service in the south and at Yorktown. They are the only American regimentally marked longarms of the Revolution. The 2nd NH Battalion, from which this musket comes, saw the heaviest service of the NH regiments. Its flags may still be seen at the NH Historical Society. Out of some 12,000 French longarms brought into Portsmouth Harbor in March, 1777, about 2100 were allotted to NH to arm its 3 battalions serving in the Continental line. A Portsmouth silversmith was hired to make the stamps with which to mark the muskets and bayonets. Markings consisted of a ligatured “NH” followed by a number and a “B”, designating either the First, Second or Third battalion, then “No” and the rack number of the weapon. Bayonets were marked only with the rack number. Rack numbers run to about 700, corresponding to the established strength for Continental Army infantry battalions. 4-57424 (7,000-10,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2005 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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