Revolutionary War 1763 French Flintlock Pistol

Guns
American Revolutionary War Period French Military Model 1763 Long Flintlock Pistol made at the Charleville Arsenal
c. 1763-1766, Rare American Revolutionary War Period French Military Model 1763 "Long" Flintlock Pistol made at the Charleville Arsenal, lock is marked "Manufacture de Charleville", Fine.
This Rare American Revolutionary War Period French Military Model 1763 "Long" Flintlock Pistol measures 16.5" in overall length. It was originally made with a .72 caliber 12" smooth-bore barrel, but it was determined to be too long by the military which ordered the barrel to be reduced to the current 9.2" length. The lock is marked "Manufacture de Charleville". All steel parts exhibit areas of salt & pepper rust pitting. All regulation brass parts exhibit a dark mustard yellow age patina. This Pistol remains in its original Flintlock configuration. The stock was breaking through the lock area and has been repaired and pinned. A section of wood just under the rear of the lock and the frizzen has been replaced. Overall, the stock has light scratches and dings from years of service. The steel ram rod has a brass end cap. An impressive large pistol in good mechanical working order. It may have seen action in the American Revolutionary War and possibly the War or 1812.
Historical Note: Benjamin Franklin (one of our founding fathers), spent much of his time in London from the mid-1750s to the 1770s.
In 1775 he defended the American cause by being one of five appointed to help draft the Declaration of Independence. In 1776 he was dispatched to France as Commissioner for the United States, where he secured a critical military alliance in 1778.
He was able to have French military weapons and supplies shipped to the American forces fighting the British in the colonies. His efforts to support his American brethren resulted in the signing the Treaty of Paris in 1783.