Unwrapping History Ep. 3: 260 Year old, Mle 1766

Описание: The following Links will take you my recommended Reference books available on Amazon
French Military Arms and Armor in America, 1503-1783
https://amzn.to/4f90H3W (Amazon)
French Military Small Arms
https://amzn.to/408x8eB (Amazon)
The Brown Bess; An Identification Guide and Illustrated Study of Britain's Most Famous Musket
https://amzn.to/4f2u1Ji (Amazon)
U.S. Military Flintlock Muskets and Their Bayonets: The Early Years, 1790-1815
https://amzn.to/4ePIF7k (Amazon)
U.S. Military Flintlock Muskets and Their Bayonets; The Later Years, 1816 through the Civil War
https://amzn.to/4h20zoG (Amazon)
Springfield Armory Infantry Muskets 1795-1844
https://amzn.to/48bKTLC (Amazon)
American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume II: From the 1790s to the End of the Flintlock Period
https://amzn.to/4fqEbE7 (Amazon)
American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume I: Colonial and Revolutionary War Arms
https://amzn.to/3BMymlT (Amazon)
Muskets of the Revolution
https://amzn.to/3YpOVNb (Amazon)

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Unboxing an original French Charleville model 1768. The Model 1763's sturdier design proved to be a bit too heavy, so in 1766 the musket's design was lightened. The barrel wall was thinned, the lock was shortened, the stock was slimmed, and the Model 1763's long iron ramrod cover was replaced by a pinned spring under the breech. The trumpet shaped ramrod of the Model 1763 was also abandoned in favor of a ramrod with a lighter button shaped end.

Though usually considered to be a separate model, the Model 1766 was often referred to as a "light Model 1763" musket, especially in Revolutionary War invoices.[5]

Despite being thinned down, the Model 1766 proved to be rugged and reliable.

A total of 140,000 Model 1766 muskets were produced.


The French Charleville musket holds a significant place in the history of firearms, particularly during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Its development and adoption by the French military played a crucial role in shaping the tactics and strategies of the time.

The story of the Charleville musket begins in the mid-17th century when King Louis XIV of France sought to modernize his army's weaponry. He commissioned the establishment of a state-owned arms factory in Charleville-Mézières, a town located in northeastern France. This factory, known as the Manufacture d'armes de Charleville, became the birthplace of the musket that would bear its name.

The first iteration of the Charleville musket, known as the Model 1717, was introduced in the early 18th century. It featured a smoothbore barrel, a flintlock ignition system, and a wooden stock. The Model 1717 was a significant improvement over its predecessors, as it standardized the French infantry's primary firearm and allowed for more efficient training and logistics.

Over the next few decades, the Charleville musket underwent several modifications and improvements. In 1763, the Model 1763 was introduced, featuring a shorter barrel and a more robust lock mechanism. This version became the standard musket for the French army and was widely used during the American Revolutionary War, where French troops supported the American colonists in their fight against the British.

However, it was during the French Revolution that the Charleville musket truly came into its own. The Model 1777, also known as the Charleville-Musket à Système Gribeauval, was introduced. This version incorporated several advancements, including a longer barrel, a more efficient lock mechanism, and a bayonet lug. The Model 1777 became the primary firearm of the French infantry and played a crucial role in the revolutionary wars that followed.

The Charleville musket's impact extended beyond its technical specifications. Its adoption by the French military marked a shift in infantry tactics. The musket's accuracy and range allowed for more effective volleys, leading to the development of linear tactics, where soldiers formed long lines and fired in unison. This approach revolutionized warfare at the time and influenced military strategies across Europe.