Original French Charleville Musket Converted to Experimental Breech Loading Pinfire Carbine c.1822 / 1860 U.S. Antique Guns or similar

or similar

and could only observe the fighting going on below

This incredible grouping named to Lieutenant Lee Matthews includes the following items:

Records indicate that very were ever made and they are so rare today that seldom does one become available for purchase

and between then and the close of hostilities on November 11th 1918 he established himself as an AIR ACE with 23 Victories flying Sopwith Camels

Original French Charleville Musket Converted to Experimental Breech Loading Pinfire Carbine c.1822 / 1860 U.S. Antique Guns or similarOriginal Item: One of a Kind. This came to us recently from a private Military Museum, amassed after WWII. We can barely imagine where this old boy acquired so many virtually unique forearms in just wonderful condition. This is very RARE, perhaps one of a few TRIALS Pieces dating perhaps to the late 1850's or early 1860's. This appears to have started life as a Flintlock Charleville Musket, but may also just have been assembled from Flintlock parts.