The M 1717 and 1728 are both offered by two Indian manufactures through loyalist arms, and military heritage.
the M1717 - 1766 muskets (some 1770 Charleville were found with friction fit bands) all had rear barrel bands that were fitted via friction. The friction fit is considered an integral weakness, however in my opinion, it works fine just as long as the stock has a thicker point of contact with the band.
The M1754 added a middle band spring which is found on some M1728’s and 1746’s As later generation improvements.
Loyalist arms makes a really nice M1728 pattern That is Indian made. members in my group own This musket, with a little defarbring its a very nice pattern. The stock is south asian rosewood, so you’ll need some very sharp tools and the lock will need to be appropriate hardened and the springs
If the band becomes lose because the stock has been damaged or refinished over with too much wood removed, I either added a spring that isn’t visible (hides under the band or you just shim the barrel channel slightly with a hardening wax to add friction.
Adding a rear band spring in my opinion doesn’t retract from the gun’s authenticity too, the French were known for upgrading older arms to current standards, so occasionally you’ll find a M1763/66 with an add hoc rear band spring, while adding this was a rare occurrence, the friction fit bands did work well and there was often no need for a band spring upgrade. Mostly the M1766’s were upgraded in 1768 with a rear band spring.
