Origins of this French? flintlock musket

Mefidk · 8th February 2021, 01:41 PM

Hi folks
I wonder if anyone can identify the origins of this flintlock? Its been in my collection for a few years but without me getting closer to its origin.

To me it looks like a shortened M1777 French musket. Bore is 17.8mm which may be a worn 17.6mm or 0.69. Frizzen with forward leaning upper lip, seen sometimes (I think) on Italian locks of this time. Barrel octagonal for the first 3cm from breach. Lock marked with M and two dots inside, outside with crown over BL (possibly). Markings to side brass. Butt marked RR one one side and XVI stamped on the other.
To me it looks like all the marks on all the various parts match (even though they are minimalist compared to British stamps with which I'm more familiar). However, I have not been able to find the origin of the marks online. Can anyone decode them?

I bought the piece in Italy, so that may or may not help with the origins.

8th February 2021, 01:41 PM	#1
Mefidk Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 157	Origins of this French? flintlock musket Hi folks I wonder if anyone can identify the origins of this flintlock? Its been in my collection for a few years but without me getting closer to its origin. To me it looks like a shortened M1777 French musket. Bore is 17.8mm which may be a worn 17.6mm or 0.69. Frizzen with forward leaning upper lip, seen sometimes (I think) on Italian locks of this time. Barrel octagonal for the first 3cm from breach. Lock marked with M and two dots inside, outside with crown over BL (possibly). Markings to side brass. Butt marked RR one one side and XVI stamped on the other. To me it looks like all the marks on all the various parts match (even though they are minimalist compared to British stamps with which I'm more familiar). However, I have not been able to find the origin of the marks online. Can anyone decode them? I bought the piece in Italy, so that may or may not help with the origins. Attached Images