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For example, the Model 1763 Ste. Etienne Arsenal musket shown in Figure 4 is nea stamped on the barrel breech flat “NH 1 B N® 280,” documenting its designation as the 280" musket issued to the 1“ New Hampshire Battalion. Generically referred to students and collectors as “New Hampshire Charlevilles,” these are the only Continen Army firearms to routinely bear a regimental identification. Given that feature and t ly DY al he serial numbering, these arms are also the single example of a weapon that, with t Sorresponding archival record, can be associated with the specific Continental soldier he to whom it was issued. In reality, listings of serial numbers and associated men’s names nave been found for only a very small proportion of the three regiments, perhaps no more than a company or two. Although such precise identification is typically not available, any surviving “New Hampshire Charleville” has a very strong likelihood to have been carried at Saratoga, Valley Forge, and on the plains of Monmouth. As would be expected, and contrary to their popular reference, the known surviving examples of these New Hampshire marked French muskets are about equally representative of Charleville, Maubeuge and Ste. Etienne production.'°

Figure 4 For example, the Model 1763 Ste. Etienne Arsenal musket shown in Figure 4 is nea stamped on the barrel breech flat “NH 1 B N® 280,” documenting its designation as the 280" musket issued to the 1“ New Hampshire Battalion. Generically referred to students and collectors as “New Hampshire Charlevilles,” these are the only Continen Army firearms to routinely bear a regimental identification. Given that feature and t ly DY al he serial numbering, these arms are also the single example of a weapon that, with t Sorresponding archival record, can be associated with the specific Continental soldier he to whom it was issued. In reality, listings of serial numbers and associated men’s names nave been found for only a very small proportion of the three regiments, perhaps no more than a company or two. Although such precise identification is typically not available, any surviving “New Hampshire Charleville” has a very strong likelihood to have been carried at Saratoga, Valley Forge, and on the plains of Monmouth. As would be expected, and contrary to their popular reference, the known surviving examples of these New Hampshire marked French muskets are about equally representative of Charleville, Maubeuge and Ste. Etienne production.'°

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Figure 1 — Continental Army one-line full-title branding applied to Model 1771 Charleville musket, circa 1777 The Model 1771 French “musket from. the Charleville Arsenal shown in Figure 1 displays an exceptional example of the one-line “UNITED:STATES” branding. Positioned along the lower edge of the left butt stock, the impression benefitted from the relative flatness of this area of the stock, thereby avoiding the challenge of a more curved surface. Given the quite uniform lettering, it also is evident that the branding iron used for this impress was of high quality; there is quite minimal variation between the repeated characters, i.e., the ““T’’s, the “E”’s and the “S”’s. Several of the issues of variation can be noted in Figure 2. This circa 1777 two-line full-title “UNITED STATES” branding of a Maubeuge Arsenal pattern of 1768 French musket demonstrates the letter variations and slight crudeness of individually crafted branding irons. Firstly, through its initial “U” and final “S”, this example demonstrates the very common result of terminal letters being weakly or only partially struck due to
Figure 1 — Continental Army one-line full-title branding applied to Model 1771 Charleville musket, circa 1777 The Model 1771 French “musket from. the Charleville Arsenal shown in Figure 1 displays an exceptional example of the one-line “UNITED:STATES” branding. Positioned along the lower edge of the left butt stock, the impression benefitted from the relative flatness of this area of the stock, thereby avoiding the challenge of a more curved surface. Given the quite uniform lettering, it also is evident that the branding iron used for this impress was of high quality; there is quite minimal variation between the repeated characters, i.e., the ““T’’s, the “E”’s and the “S”’s. Several of the issues of variation can be noted in Figure 2. This circa 1777 two-line full-title “UNITED STATES” branding of a Maubeuge Arsenal pattern of 1768 French musket demonstrates the letter variations and slight crudeness of individually crafted branding irons. Firstly, through its initial “U” and final “S”, this example demonstrates the very common result of terminal letters being weakly or only partially struck due to
the challenge of a flat marking iron attempting to cope with an arched stock surface, as presented by the top edge of the right butt stock, just in front of the butt plate. As to lettering uniformity, the second “T” is slightly but noticeably different from the two others, its crossbar apparently being slightly wider and having more pronounced serifs at either end. The two “E”’s visually differ on the basis of the top and center horizontals. As to the top bars, the first “E” is notably shorter than that appearing below it in “STATES.” In like manner, the first “E”’’s center bar appears notably less wide than that seen below, becoming nearly stubby when compared with the “E” center bar in “STATES.” Also of interest, it can be easily seen that the “I” exhibits the 18" century handwriting and mechanical printing device of a center cross bar, this characteristic being seen in a significant proportion, but not all, of the full-title Continental stock brandings.'* An example of the more common “U.STATES” branding motif is shown in Figure 3. Positioned in the area between the rear trigger guard extension and the base of the butt plate, this mark appears on a pattern of 1768 Ste. Etienne Arsenal musket. Since the 1768 variant appears to be the pattern predominating within the American shipments, and since this marking format and placement seem to be the most commonly seen result of the army’s 1777 branding program, this combination of gun and mark might be considered as the prototypical mid- to late-war Continental Army firelock. This branding example also demonstrates a slightly imperfect strike in that while the left end “U.ST” segment is
the challenge of a flat marking iron attempting to cope with an arched stock surface, as presented by the top edge of the right butt stock, just in front of the butt plate. As to lettering uniformity, the second “T” is slightly but noticeably different from the two others, its crossbar apparently being slightly wider and having more pronounced serifs at either end. The two “E”’s visually differ on the basis of the top and center horizontals. As to the top bars, the first “E” is notably shorter than that appearing below it in “STATES.” In like manner, the first “E”’’s center bar appears notably less wide than that seen below, becoming nearly stubby when compared with the “E” center bar in “STATES.” Also of interest, it can be easily seen that the “I” exhibits the 18" century handwriting and mechanical printing device of a center cross bar, this characteristic being seen in a significant proportion, but not all, of the full-title Continental stock brandings.'* An example of the more common “U.STATES” branding motif is shown in Figure 3. Positioned in the area between the rear trigger guard extension and the base of the butt plate, this mark appears on a pattern of 1768 Ste. Etienne Arsenal musket. Since the 1768 variant appears to be the pattern predominating within the American shipments, and since this marking format and placement seem to be the most commonly seen result of the army’s 1777 branding program, this combination of gun and mark might be considered as the prototypical mid- to late-war Continental Army firelock. This branding example also demonstrates a slightly imperfect strike in that while the left end “U.ST” segment is
Figure 3 — Continental Army abbreviated-title branding applied to 1768 pattern Ste. Etienne musket, circa 1777 particularly deep and distinct, the right end of the impression progressively weakens. Perhaps due to the challenge of the butt stock’s lower edge angle of descent when the barrel is horizontal, the marking’s loss of uniform depth is evident in the final “ES”, with the latter nearly losing the upper and lower loops. Given that the branding program was primarily executed in camp or garrison, perhaps without the full facilities of an armorer’s workshop, it may be that an approach commonly used was for one man to wield the marking iron and mallet, while a second held the gun in position on a workbench, table or crate. The natural tendency of the musket to roll when poised on its barrel surface, however, would have made it quite difficult to maintain complete immobility and full control of the strike, unless provided by the use of a large padded vise.
Figure 3 — Continental Army abbreviated-title branding applied to 1768 pattern Ste. Etienne musket, circa 1777 particularly deep and distinct, the right end of the impression progressively weakens. Perhaps due to the challenge of the butt stock’s lower edge angle of descent when the barrel is horizontal, the marking’s loss of uniform depth is evident in the final “ES”, with the latter nearly losing the upper and lower loops. Given that the branding program was primarily executed in camp or garrison, perhaps without the full facilities of an armorer’s workshop, it may be that an approach commonly used was for one man to wield the marking iron and mallet, while a second held the gun in position on a workbench, table or crate. The natural tendency of the musket to roll when poised on its barrel surface, however, would have made it quite difficult to maintain complete immobility and full control of the strike, unless provided by the use of a large padded vise.
The lock plate stamping shown in Figure 5 and barrel stamping of Figure 6, both from the same Ste. Etienne Arsenal musket also stock-branded as shown in Figure 3, are of patterns thought to be among those in use at the Philadelphia factory and armory facilities during the 1780-83 period. In these stamp patterns, the characters exceed one-quarter inch (0.25”) in height. “US” stampings of significantly lesser height are quite reliably attributable to the post-1790 period. Two other criteria of a “US” stamping occasionally considered relevant are whether or not the two letters touch, and the presence or absence of serifs, the former in each case being thought to indicate an earlier stamp pattern. All of these factors, though, are no more than possible indicators. As example, this writer personally recovered a “US” stamped French bayonet meeting none of the three purported qualifications from a Continental Army winter quarters site occupied only during the period of 1780-82. Figure 5 — Continental arsenal lock plate stamping applied to 1768 pattern Ste. Etienne musket, circa 1780
The lock plate stamping shown in Figure 5 and barrel stamping of Figure 6, both from the same Ste. Etienne Arsenal musket also stock-branded as shown in Figure 3, are of patterns thought to be among those in use at the Philadelphia factory and armory facilities during the 1780-83 period. In these stamp patterns, the characters exceed one-quarter inch (0.25”) in height. “US” stampings of significantly lesser height are quite reliably attributable to the post-1790 period. Two other criteria of a “US” stamping occasionally considered relevant are whether or not the two letters touch, and the presence or absence of serifs, the former in each case being thought to indicate an earlier stamp pattern. All of these factors, though, are no more than possible indicators. As example, this writer personally recovered a “US” stamped French bayonet meeting none of the three purported qualifications from a Continental Army winter quarters site occupied only during the period of 1780-82. Figure 5 — Continental arsenal lock plate stamping applied to 1768 pattern Ste. Etienne musket, circa 1780
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