DESCRIPTION: Italian (Kingdom of Sardinia) M.1814 flintlock musket. Caliber: 17.5 mm smoothbore. This was a standard musket of the Sardinian army after the fall of the Napoleonic empire. The musket is similar to French Model AN IX, from which it was derived. These muskets were eventually converted to percussion configuration and, in such a form, remained in service until the unification of Italy. These muskets are difficult to find in original flintlock configuration, as most of them were converted to percussion configuration. The Sardinian muskets were manufactured by the Brescia arsenal with Beretta supplied barrels (the left side of the barrel displays, "PB" initials stamped just behind the flintlock). After the region was occupied by France in 1797, Beretta was awarded a "Good Service Certificate" from Napoleon Bonaparte for supplying barrels for 40,000 muskets manufactured by Brescia arsenal annually for the French Emperor's Grande Armee. When the Kingdom regained the independence in 1814, virtually identical muskets manufactured at the Brescia arsenal with Berreta made barrels were supplied to the Sardinian army. The left side of the buttstock displays a small cartouche with "Crown" over partially recognizable letters in an oval ("ChC"?). The same cartouche is stamped on the upper part of the buttstock, just behind the barrel tang. The lockplate displays a "Crown over SL over 19" (just in front of the hammer). The barrel tang shows a production date, "1815". The counter plate displays a "Crown over G" and "Crown over JP". Similar markings are stamped on some other iron parts of the musket. The back of the barrel displays following markings, "Crown over RS", "PB", "1815", "Crown over IS", "Crown over RS" and "72". The stock is made of walnut and extends to within three inch of the muzzle. The barrel is attached to the stock by three flat barrel bands, that are retained by springs. One sling swivel is located on a stud in front of the trigger guard bow. The second sling swivel is missing from the middle barrel band (which may not be original). There is a socket bayonet lug on the barrel, near the muzzle (please, see pictures). The flintlock pan is made of brass. All iron furniture. Complete with an iron ramrod. The musket is virtually identical to weapons used by the French Napoleonic army, except for the markings. CONDITION: Fine. The flint lock works fine. Some scattered gray/brown patina on the iron parts of the musket. The buttplate is covered by brown patina. The markings are still visible on both, metal and wood. Nice stock in original finish with some handling marks, small dings and light scratches. There is a hairline crack on the left side of the stock, just in front of the counter plate (please, see pictures). Overall length: 52.50 inch. Barrel length: 37.25 inch. Scarce Sardinian M.1814 flintlock musket!
