Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting and unusually compact Spanish Modelo 1846 percussion musket made at the historic Fábrica de Placencia in the Basque Country and dated 1852. Matching date and serial number 394 are present on the lock, barrel, and stock, while the lock bears the royal cypher of Queen Isabel II together with the Placencia factory marking and the inspector name URIGOEN. Now measuring just 46 1/2" overall with a 30 1/2" smoothbore barrel of approximately .69 caliber, it represents a particularly interesting short configuration of the Spanish Model 1846 family. Its mix of iron and brass furniture, distinctive Spanish percussion nipple protector, matching numbered components, and attractive service patina give it considerable collector appeal.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Spain adopted percussion ignition for its principal infantry arms during the 1840s, and the Modelo 1846 became an important family of military long arms during the reign of Isabel II. Full length infantry muskets, cavalry arms, carbines, and shortened or subsequently altered arms of related pattern are all encountered, reflecting the extensive service, rebuilding, and modification these weapons underwent during the middle decades of the 19th century.

This example now measures 46 1/2" overall and has a 30 1/2" barrel. The smooth bore measures approximately 0.69" at the muzzle. Its compact dimensions indicate that it is not in the standard full length infantry musket configuration. Spanish records and surviving collections document shortened Modelo 1846 muskets as well as smoothbore short arms derived from the pattern, so this may represent a period shortened or rebuilt service arm. We have also seen similar examples described as naval muskets, but the markings on this particular gun do not establish a naval issue and we have therefore left that attribution unconfirmed.

The furniture is mixed, with an iron butt plate and brass nose cap or front sight fitting, barrel band, and trigger guard. Brass furniture is encountered on various Spanish short arms of the period, but by itself does not prove naval issue.

The somewhat square fronted lock plate is marked beneath the hammer with the royal cypher and factory designation:

(CROWN)
Y
II
F. DE P.

The crowned Y II cypher refers to Queen Isabel II of Spain, whose name was also historically rendered Ysabel. She reigned from 1833 until 1868. The F. DE P. with the "DE" ligature marking identifies the Fábrica de Placencia, part of the historic arms manufacturing industry centered at Placencia de las Armas, today Soraluze in the Basque Country.

Spanish reference material confirms that muzzle loading arms produced at the Royal Factory of Placencia carried the royal cypher of Isabel II on their locks with the factory initials beneath it. Placencia had been an important Spanish arms making center for centuries, with royal arms production organized there long before the percussion era.

The lower front portion of the lock is marked:

URIGOEN

This Basque surname is associated with inspection of Spanish arms from the Placencia manufacturing system. An additional:

CB

inspection marking is present near the royal cypher. We have preserved both markings exactly as observed without assigning them to specific individuals beyond the supplied identification of URIGOEN.

The rear of the lock plate is marked:

1852
E
394

The matching date and serial information continue on the barrel. The left facet of the breech is marked:

1852
394

The right side of the butt stock is likewise marked:

1852
E
394

The repetition of 1852 and serial number 394 across the lock, barrel, and stock is one of the strongest features of this example and indicates that these principal numbered components have remained together.

Additional small proof and inspection marks are present on various parts of the musket.

The percussion bolster is fitted with the distinctive hinged nipple protector encountered on Spanish percussion arms of this period, including the Modelo 1846 family. The protector swings clear when the arm is to be fired and remains fully functional on this example.

Overall condition is very good. The metal components appear to have been cleaned and polished at some point in the past and have since been allowed to mature naturally, leaving a lightly aged, attractive surface. We do not see major active oxidation or other significant metal damage.

The lock functions correctly during manual inspection, holding at half cock and releasing from full cock. The percussion nipple protector also operates as intended. These observations describe only the present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the musket is safe to load or fire.

The stock is particularly attractive, with a rich dark red brown color and the expected dents, dings, scratches, and handling wear accumulated during a long service life. We do not see evidence of major structural damage or significant past stock repairs.

A ramrod remains present beneath the barrel. Both sling swivels are also retained, although the upper swivel is bent and its cross pin is presently attached on only one side.

With its matching 1852 date and serial number 394 across the lock, barrel, and stock, crowned Isabel II cypher, F. DE P. Placencia marking, URIGOEN inspection stamp, distinctive nipple protector, compact short configuration, and handsome red brown stock, this is a particularly interesting Spanish military percussion arm. Its exact short pattern remains worthy of further research, but the clearly marked Placencia manufacture and unusually complete matching components give it excellent appeal for a Spanish military arms collection, a percussion musket display, or a collection focused on lesser encountered European service arms of the mid 19th century.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1852
Maker: La Fábrica de Placencia
Caliber: 0.69"
Cartridge Type: Cap and Powder with Shot
Barrel Length: 30 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 46 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Locks
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.