French M1777 Flintlock Cavalry Pistol

Description

The French Model 1777 pistol was introduced to replace the earlier Model 1763/1766 and was manufactured between 1779 and 1792. During the American Revolution thousands of French M1777 flintlock cavalry pistols were supplied to the American military by the French. The M1777 proved so popular in America that it was copied in 1799 by North & Cheney, becoming the very first official US military pistol. The French models were produced primarily at the Charleville, Maubeuge, and St. Etienne arsenals, and so marked on the brass frame, but some were produced by smaller arsenals and not marked with the arsenal name. This is one of those examples, with no visible arsenal marking. It features 7 1/2” (19 cm) tapering round smoothbore barrel of .69 caliber, becoming octagonal at the breech and bearing two inspection stamps on the breech. Brass frame with stamped inspection mark. Brass trigger guard and butt cap, the latter stamped with star over “C”. Walnut grip with inspector stamp. Original ramrod with star over “C”? stamp. Made without belt hook. Near excellent condition, the steel parts having been cleaned bright; brass with pleasing patina. Overall length 13” (33 cm).