Lot 1217

Well-Documented Late 17th Century French Matchlock Musket

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Well-Documented Late 17th Century French Matchlock Musket

Estimate: $8,500 - $13,000

Starting Bid: $7,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Well-Documented Late 17th Century French Matchlock Musket This musket is pictured and discussed on pages 37-38 of "American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume I: Colonial and Revolutionary War Arms" by George D. Moller. The toe has a "GDM" Moller collection mark. He notes, "This musket generally resembles the French military matchlock muskets described and illustrated by St. Remy in his Memoires d'Artillerie, published in 1697." It utilizes a crossbow style "tickler" lever trigger and has a "trigger lock" that has the trigger acting against a spring that automatically brings the serpentine back away from the pan when the trigger is released. The lock has a rounded profile, a pronounced teat at the tail, and a manually opened pan cover with a fence. The smoothbore barrel is two-stage and has a simple girdle at the transition point. The breech section is inscribed with "NEVFCHASTEL" in large letters on top behind a "V" notch dovetail mounted rear sight, and the round section has a simple blade front sight set back from the muzzle. Moller indicates the underside of the barrel has a Suhl control mark on the bottom. Moller references the multiple "Neuchatels" of France as potential locations for this musket's use.

Manufacturer: French

Model: Matchlock

BBL: 43 1/2 inch part octagon

Stock: hardwood

Gauge: .72

Finish: bright

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The George Moller Collection; The Malcolm B. Troup, Captain, US Army, Retired Collection
  • Condition: Very good with mottled gray and brown patina on the metal, a few cracks and repairs in the stock, some flakes absent at the edges, and mild overall wear. The ramrod has pinned repairs, and the pipes are later replacements. Mechanically functions.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000