French muskets of the Seven Years War
Le Fusil (Musket)
The French are credited with creating the flintlock, and over the late 17th
& early 18th centuries many improvements were made to the basic model. Late in
the 17th century the French military standardized on a .69cal smoothbore
muzzle loading firearm, this model was commonly known as the
From the 1690s to the 1730s the musket carried was predominantly the Army model 1717, or 1728 made in one of state armories located in St. Etienne, Maubeuge, or Charleville. As a result most of the muskets tend to be called after the armory they were made at,
with perhaps the most recognizable being those of Charleville.
The series number of the muskets corresponds to the year it entered service. A series model would be made to the same standards at all armories, resulting for the first time in interchangeable parts between similar series.
The outward differences between the series are mainly cosmetic, with improvements in reliability, serviceability, and weight.
As Regiments were levied and disbanded they would be issued arms from one of the above armories, while older models were turned in and either destroyed or reissued when newer models were released.
The units that were sent to Canada in 1755 most likely had the 1746 model. The majority of parts found at various historical sites around New France are from the 1746, or1728 models. The last reinforcements that arrived in 1757 probably did NOT have the 1754 model, which would account for the relative scarcity of 1754 parts found at F&I sites.
Acceptable muskets for use at F&I living history events
To properly portray a soldat of the time period only a limited number of weapons are acceptable for use. To make things more difficult for the re-enactor only a limited number of models have been reproduced, most of which are of a latter time period. .
Preferred weapon:
- St. Etienne Model 1754, 1746, or 1728 (bright) Available from Loyalist Arms, Rifle Shop, or Centermark
- Charleville Model 1766 altered to Model 1754, 1746, or 1728 (bright) Available from Pedersolli, Navy Arms, or Dixie Gun works.
2nd Choice military muskets made primarily by the Tulle armory for the Ministry of Marine (Navy) units.
- St. Etienne Model 1717 (bright) Available from the Rifle Shop
- Tulle Marine (bright) Available from Rifle Shop, or Centermark
- Fusil Grenadier (bright) Available from Rifle Shop, or Centermark
Acceptable but not preferred due to their primary role as civilian hunting arms, not military issue.
- Fusil de Chasse (browned or blued) Available from Track of the Wolf
- Fusil Fin (browned or blued) Available from Track of the Wolf
- Type C or D French trade fusil (bright) Available from Track of the Wolf
These models can be militarized by adding sling swivels, slings, and some basic metal working.
British firearms that will 'work' until a proper French model is obtained.
Since these were not issued to French troops, they could be explained off as captured from a enemy.
- Brown Bess
- British Trade gun