Revolutionary War Dated French Model 1777 Pistol by Charleville

NSN, .67 Caliber, 7 1/2" tapered barrel with a good, lightly pitted bore. This is a handsome pistol that has a smooth, plum-brown patina on the barrel, with some mild pitting around the touchhole. The brown continues along the cock, frizzen, and frizzen spring, with a slightly more mottled brown along the backstrap. The barrel has legible markings with an "S80" date code, indicating manufacture in 1780. The brass frame and furniture have a yellow-ochre patina throughout, with some darker marks and spots scattered throughout. The bottom of the frame is inset for a no longer present belt hook. These early production guns were initially made with a belt hook, but they were usually removed, and later pistols dispensed with them altogether. Despite the absence of the hook, the screw meant to secure it to the frame is still present. The walnut grip is in very good-near fine shape with numerous small handling marks and blemishes scattered throughout. The lefts side has been sanded where it meets the brass frame, and the metal ramrod is no longer present. The action is still firm and fully functional. These pistols were introduced at about the same time as the start of the Revolutionary War, and many were shipped to the United States as military assistance by France. They proved to be quite popular with both the Continental Army and militia units alike, and were the template for the US Model 1799 Flintlock Pistol by North & Cheney; the first official US pattern military pistol. This example is in very good condition and would make a fine addition to any collection. Antique