18th century musket for identification

gp · 13th July 2022, 09:29 AM

The Corbau family, actually Corbeau, comes from Maastricht, the Netherlands and was well known for manufacturing guns, rifles and pistols to the “Staten van Holland” ,i.e. the Dutch Republic in the 16 th century. And one of the world biggest exporters...

Arms were marked with "Corbeau à Maastricht". First mention Godefroi Corbeau (senior) gunmaker, became with his son a citizen of Maastricht ,
and member of the blacksmithguild in 12 juni 1717. Born date unknown, died 1760.
The son is Franciscus Josephus Corbeau born around 1749, died in Valkenburg 20 December 1812

“ Corbau (a) Mastrich “ is one of the many fancy ways of names written…but do not worry ! Yours is a real one
Congratulations on this most beautiful historical piece.

At that time the region of Limburg and Wallonia in the Low Countries ( presently the Netherlands and Belgium) between Maastricht and Liege were big and well known for their gun, rifle and pistol manufacturing: many were exported worldwide and specially to the American Civil War. There were many companies here in the Low Countries between Maastricht and Liege: starting from small companies, which mergered through the centuries and with presently only FN in Herstal Belgium as single survivor.
https://fnherstal.com/en/

During that period US pistolmakers f.i. licenced these companies to manufacture on their behalf, based upon the craftmanship and quality. Or these companies simply penetrated the US market: like S&W the Bulldogs; "Patents" applied for in the U.S.A. by Belgian gunmakers from Liege and they were "Approved" by the patent office. So quite some interaction indeed.
Back to Maastricht.... Many family names like Jean Aerts, Corbeau, De La Haye, Keunings, Kitzen, Krans, Stevens and Beaumont from Maastricht were involved and well known for their arms.

Additional: I found some Dutch publications which mentioned that some arms made between 1700-1750 were refurbished in 1800 -1850 and written :
Carbau (a) Ma(a)strich or CORBAV.LE.IEVNE ( Corbau le Jeune = Corbeau Jr....thus the son Frans-Joseph)
FYI: The famous Jamous Cook had a Carbeau pistol…sold for $227,000 at auction in 2013

a link to a museum with a similar rifle: https://emuseum.history.org/objects/...south-carolina
have a look at the details by clicking on the pics and do compare it with yours ! I am sure a smile will come on your face ! ☼

enclosed a picture of a rifle by Stevens of Maastricht with regards to the US Civil War Era

13th July 2022, 09:29 AM	#2
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 823	The Corbau family, actually Corbeau, comes from Maastricht, the Netherlands and was well known for manufacturing guns, rifles and pistols to the “Staten van Holland” ,i.e. the Dutch Republic in the 16 th century. And one of the world biggest exporters... Arms were marked with "Corbeau à Maastricht". First mention Godefroi Corbeau (senior) gunmaker, became with his son a citizen of Maastricht , and member of the blacksmithguild in 12 juni 1717. Born date unknown, died 1760. The son is Franciscus Josephus Corbeau born around 1749, died in Valkenburg 20 December 1812 “ Corbau (a) Mastrich “ is one of the many fancy ways of names written…but do not worry ! Yours is a real one Congratulations on this most beautiful historical piece. At that time the region of Limburg and Wallonia in the Low Countries ( presently the Netherlands and Belgium) between Maastricht and Liege were big and well known for their gun, rifle and pistol manufacturing: many were exported worldwide and specially to the American Civil War. There were many companies here in the Low Countries between Maastricht and Liege: starting from small companies, which mergered through the centuries and with presently only FN in Herstal Belgium as single survivor. https://fnherstal.com/en/ During that period US pistolmakers f.i. licenced these companies to manufacture on their behalf, based upon the craftmanship and quality. Or these companies simply penetrated the US market: like S&W the Bulldogs; "Patents" applied for in the U.S.A. by Belgian gunmakers from Liege and they were "Approved" by the patent office. So quite some interaction indeed. Back to Maastricht.... Many family names like Jean Aerts, Corbeau, De La Haye, Keunings, Kitzen, Krans, Stevens and Beaumont from Maastricht were involved and well known for their arms. Additional: I found some Dutch publications which mentioned that some arms made between 1700-1750 were refurbished in 1800 -1850 and written : Carbau (a) Ma(a)strich or CORBAV.LE.IEVNE ( Corbau le Jeune = Corbeau Jr....thus the son Frans-Joseph) FYI: The famous Jamous Cook had a Carbeau pistol…sold for $227,000 at auction in 2013 a link to a museum with a similar rifle: https://emuseum.history.org/objects/...south-carolina have a look at the details by clicking on the pics and do compare it with yours ! I am sure a smile will come on your face ! ☼ enclosed a picture of a rifle by Stevens of Maastricht with regards to the US Civil War Era Attached Images Last edited by gp; 13th July 2022 at 01:11 PM.