Torn between Brown Bess and 1766 Charleville

[Jay29]

I started another thread about the Brown Bess but now the 1766 Charleville has caught my eye. The 1766 Charleville has it all in the looks department and I have read it is a lighter more sturdier design. Pros and Cons?

If you had the cash right now, what would you choose? It would come from perdisoli.

 

[junkman_01]

Jay,

Since I own and shoot a DGW 1763 Charleville musket, I would recommend the Charleville. I've never had a mis-fire with it. 50 yard shooting is about it for these smooth bores, but it is a load of fun!

 

[xXxplosive]

Own both..............Perdersoli.........not customs like my other smoothbores.
Both came through with soft frizzens....not much spark and I only use top quality flints from Track O W.
Had tor replace the frizzens after trying to hardden them unsuccesfully, guess that what you get with production guns anyway. Other than that, they're just OK i guess.......I hunt with all my custom BP arms as they are all No Fail.

 

[goon]

The Bess will be cheaper and far more common on the used market - at least from the bit I've seen just looking around. I bet if you knew where to ask and had money in hand you could have a deal worked out for a Pedersoli Bess by the end of next week, but probably not so for the Charleville.
Still, the Charleville does show the evolution of France's small arms at this time. The cock is reinforced, cut out in the stock to be able to aim better, and lighter than the previous model.

 

[Curator]

I have one of both. The Charleville is my preference because it is easier to clean. Barrel bands come off and the barrel comes out. Bess' barrel is pinned in as is the brass furnature. It is difficult to clean both. No difference in relaibility but the Bess needs a larger flint that is sometimes difficult to find.

 

[StrawHat]

My preference



This was bought in the 70s from Navy Arms. The frizzen needed to be hardened but after that it sparks like a demon. With a patched round ball it carries well to 75 or 80 yards. Easily hitting 5 gallon pails is my idea of carrying well. As for carrying, that is what the sling swivels were made for. Never used it with shot but the PRB has made meat several times.