Original U.S. Civil War Era Springfield Model 1842 Percussion Musket by Springfield Arsenal - Dated 1844

Original item: One Only. The US Model 1842 Musket was a .69 caliber musket manufactured and used in the United States during the 19th Century. It was a continuation of the Model 1816 line of muskets but is generally referred to by its own model number rather than just a variant of the Model 1816. All of these muskets were 58 inches long, with a barrel around 42 inches in length.

The Model 1842 was the last U.S. smoothbore musket produced. Many features that had been retrofitted into the Model 1840 were standard on the Model 1842. The Model 1842 was the first U.S. musket to be produced with a percussion lock, though most of the Model 1840 flintlocks ended up being converted to percussion locks before reaching the field. The percussion cap system was vastly superior to the flintlock, being much more reliable and much more resistant to weather.

The Models 1840 & 1842 were made with thicker barrel walls, with the intention that they could be rifled later, however this example is still in the original smoothbore configuration. It does however look to have seen a good amount of use, as the barrel now measures out to about 0.701" near the muzzle from use and cleaning. It displays a nice polished patina overall, showing evidence of light past staining and peppering, now cleaned away. The lock plate is marked with the correct American "Federal Eagle" / U.S. under of the hammer, and was produced at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield itself, as indicated on the lock plate tail:

SPRING
FIELD
1844

Many of these muskets were produced under contract, however this example was made at one of the Federal armories. The rifle side plate is thin and not bulged, as typical of the Model 1842 Musket. Previous iterations had had a more pronounced side plate with a bulge in the middle. Due to the amount of use it most likely saw, there is a good amount of powder burn and oxidation around the breech area of the barrel and the cap nipple cone bolster, which was later cleaned away somewhat aggressively. The cone shows some wear, but the square portion at the the bottom is still clear, though the bolster itself is definitely a bit altered in shape. In spite of this, the V / P / Eagle's Head proofs on the left side are still mostly visible, though the barrel date is unfortunately completely worn away.

With all iron mounts this .69 caliber musket is in very nice condition, showing a lovely polished patina from repeated cleanings over the years. This was a bit aggressive in places to remove past powder burn oxidation, so there is a bit of change to the geometry around the breech of the barrel and around the nipple cone bolster. It still retains retaining both barrel bands and the iron nose cap, as well as the correct "tulip" headed ramrod under the barrel, which still has threading on the other end. Both sling swivels are present, though the upper swivel is cracked through on the left side. The butt plate is correctly U.S. marked, and the lock still functions correctly, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full. We checked the bore, and it is still smoothbore, and was not rifled later, as many were, though it does not look to have been cleaned properly after the last use, and shows overall fouling and oxidation.

The one piece walnut stock on this gun is in very good shape, showing a lovely red brown color from years of age. There is overall denting and wear from use, and there is some erosion from powder burn around the lock. We were not able to see any cartouches still present, however the right side of the butt stock has a very interesting "hatchet" brass inlay, held in by two tacks.

A lovely example of the last smoothbore percussion musket that the United States fielded, still in the original configuration with a lovely used look. Ready to display!

Specifications (Musket):-

Year of Manufacture: 1844
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 42 Inches
Overall Length: 57 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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