Musket Model 1777

The musket Modèle 1777, and later Modèle 1777 corrigé en l'an IX (Model 1777 corrected in the year IX, or 1800 in the French Revolutionary Calendar) was one of the most widespread weapons on the European continent.

Musket Modèle 1777
TypeMusket
Place of originFrance
Service history
In serviceFrench Army 1777–1840
Used byFrance, various native American tribes, United States of America, Haiti, Kingdom of Ireland, First French Empire, Confederation of the Rhine, First Hellenic Republic, Confederate States of America, Pirates, Privateers, Metis, Hunters,
WarsAmerican War of Independence, Haitian Revolution, French Revolutionary Wars, Coalition Wars, United Irishmen Rebellion, Napoleonic Wars, Emmet's Insurrection, Siege of Santo Domingo of 1805, War of 1812, Greek War of Independence, Franco-Trarzan War of 1825, French conquest of Algeria, First Franco-Mexican War, Franco-Moroccan War, French–Tahitian War, American Civil War
Production history
Designed1777
ManufacturerCharleville armoury and others
Produced1777–1839 (all variants)
No. built7,000,000
VariantsModèle 1777 corrigé en l'an IX
Specifications
Mass4.75 kilograms (10.5 lb)
Length1.52 metres (60 in)
Barrel length113.7 centimetres (44.8 in)
Cartridge16.54 mm, 27.19 g lead ball
12.24 black-powder propellant
Caliber17.5mm (.69 inch) musket ball
ActionFlintlock/percussion lock (conversion)
Rate of fireUser dependent; usually 2 to 3 rounds a minute
Muzzle velocityVariable 420 m/s (1,400 ft/s)
Effective firing rangeVariable (50–100 yards)
Feed systemMuzzle-loaded
SightsA front sight cast into the upper barrel band

It was part of a weapon family with numerous variants, e.g. for the light infantry, artillery and a musketoon for the cavalry.

Table based on the memoirs of Captain Rayne (Metz, 1818).[1]

Modèle 1777 corrigé en l' an IX

After the French Revolutionary Wars, first consul Napoleon Bonaparte commissioned a rework; some minor modifications on the lock, bayonet and stock resulted in 1800 in the "corrected" model, also called "Modèle 1777 corrigé".

Other improvements

The Musket was further improved in 1816 and 1822. Many were converted from flintlock to percussion cap in the mid-19th century.

Impact

7 million muskets were produced, including variants 1800 (an IX), 1816 and 1822, but not including muskets like the Austrian 1798 or the Prussian 1809, which were mere clones of the French 1777. Until World War I, no other firearm was produced in such large numbers.

Properly trained French infantry were expected to be able to fire three volleys a minute with the 1777. A trained infantryman could hit a man sized target at 80 yards but anything further required an increasing amount of luck[2] and the musket became wildly inaccurate at long range. Compared to the British Brown Bess, it fired musket balls that fitted more tightly into the barrel resulting in a better accuracy but a lower rate of fire and more fouling issues.

The Grande Armée marched into the German countries and left approx. 750,000 muskets retreating in 1815; until about 1840, French weapons were used in Germany.

Details of the musket
  • Musket Modèle 1777 made during the Revolution
    Musket Modèle 1777 made during the Revolution
  • The flintlock mechanism
    The flintlock mechanism
  • The muzzle
    The muzzle

See also

Literature
  • Hans-Dieter Götz: Militärgewehre und Pistolen der deutschen Staaten 1800–1870, 2nd edition, Stuttgart, 1996, ISBN 3-87943-533-2 (in German)

References
  1. Voir : Napoléon Ier le magazine du Consulat et de l'Empire, N°35, p. 15.
  2. Moore, Richard Napoleonic Guide: Weapons of War: Infantry 2006
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