A Superb & Rare French Modele 1733-1766 Flintlock Pistol, Dated 1776, Manufactured For The King of France, King Louis XVIth, For the American Revolutionary War Supply, To Aid General Washington's Forces in 1776

A most rare and superb example of the form of pistol made in France in 1776 for King Louis XVI of France and supplied to the armed forces of the United States Continental Congress, for the use of General George Washington's revolutionary rebel forces in 1776, and also for use for the French volunteer regiments that fought in America. France, at first surreptitiously, and later, less covert, gave America over 5 billion livres in aid and materials, weapons, men and ammunition. However, as it was effectively never actually repaid, it resulted in the ruination of the French economy, which led to the French Revolution, and thus the fall of the monarchy, and execution of the King and Queen France, King Louis and Marie Antoinette, as well as most of the French aristocracy that didn’t have the foresight to switch loyalties {during 'The Great Terror'}. Plus, after Americas successful victory, France, not entirely surprisingly, expected preferential trade deals and treaties with the new United States of America, by way of thanks, which failed to materialise, in fact it was far worse for France, as a very advantageous trade deal and treaty was in fact struck instead, between Britain and America. It’s strange that things often never quite turn out how one might imagine, but it shows how it is not a modern phenomenon, that politics can turn things completely on its head, and ones bitterest enemies can become ones most welcome allies in just a matter of a few months.

French involvement in the American Revolutionary War of 1775–1783 began in 1776 when the Kingdom of France secretly shipped supplies to the Continental Army of the Thirteen Colonies when it was established in June 1775. France was a long-term historical rival with the Kingdom of Great Britain, from which the Colonies were attempting to separate.

A Treaty of Alliance between the French and the Continental Army followed in 1778, which led to French money, matériel and troops being sent to the United States. An ignition of a global war with Britain started shortly thereafter. Subsequently, Spain and the Dutch Republic also began to send assistance, which, along with other political developments in Europe, left the British with no allies during the conflict (excluding the Hessians). Spain openly declared war in 1779, and war between British and Dutch followed soon after.

France's help was a major and decisive contribution towards the United States' eventual victory and independence in the war. However, as a cost of participation in the war, France accumulated over 1 billion livres in debt, which significantly strained the nation's finances. The French government's failure to control spending (in combination with other factors) led to unrest in the nation, which eventually culminated in a revolution a few years after the conflict between the US and Great Britain concluded. Relations between France and the United States thereafter deteriorated, leading to the Quasi-War in 1798.

France bitterly resented its loss in the Seven Years' War and sought revenge. It also wanted to strategically weaken Britain. Following the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution was well received by both the general population and the aristocracy in France. The Revolution was perceived as the incarnation of the Enlightenment Spirit against the "English tyranny." Ben Franklin traveled to France in December 1776 in order to rally the nation's support, and he was welcomed with great enthusiasm. At first, French support was covert. French agents sent the Patriots military aid (predominantly gunpowder and weapons) through a company called Rodrigue Hortalez et Compagnie, beginning in the spring of 1776. Estimates place the percentage of French-supplied arms to the Americans in the Saratoga campaign at up to 90%. By 1777, over five million livres of aid had been sent to the American rebels.

A painting in the gallery is of Washington and Lafayette. The Marquis De Lafayette was a french volunteer who joined Washington's General Staff. Lafayette was wounded at Brandywine, the first battle in which he fought for the American cause. While recuperating, he wrote to his wife, “Do not be concerned, dear heart, about the care of my wound…. When he Washington sent his chief surgeon to care for me, he told him to care for me as though I were his son, for he loved me in the same way.” Washington and Lafayette fought side by side in several other battles.

Overall in excellent condition, good crisp action, small hairline in the wood grip through both sides.

A near identical, rare, undated example of this pistol, that only bears its model number 1763, was sold at an American Auction, Rock Island Auction in September 2020 for $7,475. https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/80/3089/french-navy-model-176366-flintlock-pistol

Code: 25357