Original U.S. Civil War Era Springfield Model 1842 Percussion Musket by Springfield Arsenal - Dated 1845

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, and looks to have seen a good amount of use, as the barrel is worn out to around 0.71" at the muzzle. It displays a nice aged patina overall, with signs of past peppering on the metalwork, having been cleaned and restored by our antique gunsmiths. 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
1845

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. The musket looks to have seen a good amount of firing while in service, and there is definitely past powder burn surrounding the cap nipple cone bolster. The cone itself is partly worn away as well, along with the square portion at the bottom for removal. The V / P / Eagle's Head proofs on the left side are still visible, however they are definitely quite faint. There is just a "ghost" of a cartouche on the left side of the butt stock.

With all iron mounts this .69 caliber musket is in very nice condition, showing a polished steel patina in many areas, with some past peppering and pitting, now ground out. It still retains retaining both barrel bands and the iron nose cap, as well as the correct "tulip" headed ramrod under the barrel. The lower sling swivel is present but difficult to move, and the upper swivel broke off, and was then drilled through, with a brass wire sling installed through the hole. 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 is somewhat fouled and oxidized inside.

The walnut stock has a lovely red brown color, having been fully cleaned and restored. There are the expected dents, dings, and other expected damage from service, but no major cracks or repairs. There is some wood worn away around the metal components, common as the oxidation from the iron and steel degrades the wood. Really a great looking old musket that would look fantastic hanging on the wall.

A very nice example of the last smoothbore percussion musket that the United States fielded, still in the original configuration. Ready to display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1845
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 42 Inches
Overall Length: 58 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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