Rare French National Guard Flintlock Musket (AL7020)

This French National Guard flintlock musket is dated 1837. The overall length is approx. 56". The 40.5" round 69 caliber smooth bore barrel has a very good bore with the internal manufacturing marks still visible. All the metal has a smooth brown patina. The barrel is numbered 159 on the left and has two impressed proof marks followed by V over 1837 at the top center. The lock, which has a brass pan, is marked in script Paris over Pihet Freres (Pihet brothers). The Pihets also worked at the French national armory at Charleville. The stock is very good with an old chip at the right of the barrel tang, no other chips or cracks, and moderate issue wear. The right butt has a sharply stamped rondel reading PARIS 1834 (date may be 1844) PIHET with very small unreadable block letters following. The center of the rondel has a nicely struck rooster. The rondel is followed by 159, the same number as on the barrel.  The left butt has a circular stamp with PD over L. This stands for Pour Le Droit (For the Law). The action functions correctly. This is a very nice example of a rarely seen French National Guard flintlock musket.