{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-era-prussian-model-1809-39-potsdam-converted-percussion-musket-by-danzig-arsenal-with-socket-bayonet-lock-dated-1837","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Era Prussian Model 1809\/39 “Potsdam” Converted Percussion Musket by Danzig Arsenal with Socket Bayonet - Lock Dated 1837","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive Prussian Model 1809\/39 smoothbore percussion musket manufactured at the Royal Prussian arsenal at Danzig and complete with a correctly styled socket bayonet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCommonly known to American collectors as a “Potsdam” musket, this substantial .72-caliber military arm measures approximately 56 1\/2 inches overall and retains the long 41-inch barrel, heavy brass furniture, and robust military construction associated with Prussian infantry weapons of the early 19th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe musket began its service life within the Prussian military system before being converted from flintlock to the percussion configuration. Arms of this general pattern were later sold as military surplus and imported into the United States in significant numbers during the Civil War, when both the Union and Confederacy urgently sought serviceable firearms from European sources. Prussian percussion muskets were among the foreign arms used to equip newly raised American regiments during the early years of the conflict.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile this particular musket does not retain a documented American unit marking or individual Civil War provenance, its pattern, percussion configuration, and apparent period of use place it squarely within the type of Prussian surplus arms imported for the conflict.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Model 1809 was developed as the principal Prussian infantry musket during the Napoleonic era. Its long smoothbore barrel, sturdy lock, and substantial furniture reflected a military system that valued durability and standardized construction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs percussion ignition replaced flintlock technology during the 1830s and 1840s, large numbers of earlier Prussian muskets were altered or rebuilt for percussion caps. These updated arms are generally known to collectors as Model 1809\/39 muskets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe percussion system was far more dependable than flintlock ignition, particularly in damp weather. A small copper cap placed over the nipple contained the priming compound, eliminating the exposed powder pan and flint used on the original configuration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy the 1840s, Prussia was beginning to replace smoothbore muzzleloaders with the revolutionary Dreyse needle-fire rifle. The older percussion muskets were consequently relegated to secondary use or sold from government stores, making large quantities available for export by the beginning of the American Civil War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lockplate has the distinctive curved tail terminating in a small teat associated with the earlier Model 1809 form, rather than the later-style lockplate normally seen on newly manufactured Model 1839 arms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eForward of the hammer, the lock is marked:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(CROWN)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDANZIG\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeneath the arsenal marking is the date:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1837\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDanzig was an important Prussian arms-manufacturing center located on the Baltic coast in the city now known as Gdańsk, Poland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lockplate displays an attractive gray patina with light oxidation and age-related discoloration. There are no markings visible behind the hammer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe barrel has a different date from the lock. The breech area is marked: \u003cstrong\u003e1822. \u003c\/strong\u003eIt also bears the royal proof:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(CROWN)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFW\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis marking refers to King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia, who reigned from 1797 until 1840, and is correct for a military barrel inspected during his reign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe difference between the 1822 barrel date and the 1837 lock date indicates that the musket was assembled or rebuilt using components from different periods. The barrel may have been exchanged during arsenal maintenance or when the musket was altered to percussion ignition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuch component replacement was common in military arsenals, where serviceable parts were reused rather than discarded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe left barrel flat is marked: \u003cstrong\u003e3887. \u003c\/strong\u003eAdjacent to this is a Prussian proof consisting of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(CROWN)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe musket retains its correct brass furniture, including the trigger guard, sideplate, and barrel bands. The buttplate is iron. The rear finial of the trigger guard and the toe of the buttplate terminate in the distinctive three-pointed form associated with this pattern. Both original sling swivels are missing. They were removed at some point during the musket’s long service or civilian life, possibly for reuse on another firearm. The lock remains functional. It holds correctly at half-cock and releases only from the full-cock position. There is visible powder staining and scorching around the breech and percussion area, indicating that the musket was fired extensively after conversion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe steel barrel retains areas of its original bright military finish, now mixed with gray patina and scattered peppered oxidation. There is no modern blue finish or evidence of extensive refinishing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe overall appearance is that of an honest military musket that experienced significant use and regular handling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stock appears to be beech or possibly walnut and has developed an attractive light honey-brown color with a smooth, polished patina. It displays minor dents, scratches, pressure marks, and other evidence of service but remains structurally sound. No major cracks, large losses, or significant repairs are noted. The combination of relatively clean wood, aged brass, and gray steel gives the musket excellent visual appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe included socket bayonet is of the correct general Prussian type and fits securely over the muzzle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ricasso is marked: \u003cstrong\u003eH\u003c\/strong\u003e. The arm connecting the socket to the blade is marked with what appears to be: \u003cstrong\u003e179\u003c\/strong\u003e. The bayonet shows evidence of past peppered oxidation that has since been cleaned, leaving an attractive mottled gray patina. The triangular blade remains complete, and the socket fits the barrel correctly and locks securely in place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Model 1809 musket was approximately musket length by Napoleonic standards, with a bore considerably larger than the later .58-caliber rifled muskets that came to dominate the American Civil War. It fired a round lead ball or buck-and-ball paper cartridge and was most effective when used in massed infantry volleys at relatively short range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy the 1860s, the smoothbore Potsdam was technologically obsolete when compared with the Springfield and Enfield rifle-muskets. Nevertheless, the enormous demand for arms at the beginning of the Civil War made older European percussion muskets valuable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey were issued particularly during the early-war emergency, when governments, states, militia organizations, and private agents purchased nearly any functional military arm available. As newer rifles became more plentiful, many smoothbores were transferred to rear-area units, state troops, guards, or militia organizations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example’s burned breech area, mixed arsenal dates, worn metal surfaces, and functional lock all reflect the extended working life typical of these military surplus muskets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe musket should be considered a collectible antique and not a firearm intended for shooting. Any consideration of firing would require a complete inspection by a qualified gunsmith experienced with antique percussion arms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWith its clearly dated Danzig lock, earlier royal-proofed barrel, functional percussion action, complete brass furniture, attractive untouched patina, and well-fitting socket bayonet, this is an excellent representative example of the Prussian muskets associated with the Civil War arms trade.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA compelling two-piece set linking the military arsenals of early 19th-century Prussia with the desperate international search for weapons during the American Civil War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications, Musket:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLock Date: 1837\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Date: 1822\u003cbr\u003eManufacturer: Royal Prussian Arsenal at Danzig\u003cbr\u003eModel: Model 1809\/39 Percussion Musket\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: Approximately .72\"\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Lead Ball and Black Powder\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 41\"\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 56 1\/2\"\u003cbr\u003eAction: Side-Lock Percussion\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Single-Shot Muzzleloader\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications, Bayonet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eType: Socket Bayonet\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 19\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Form: Triangular\u003cbr\u003eSocket Length: 3\"\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 22 3\/4\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45344882131013,"sku":"ONJR26APNS096","price":1395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/7E232138-F0EC-4EAF-B67E-17DF133DDD04.jpg?v=1783977062","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-era-prussian-model-1809-39-potsdam-converted-percussion-musket-by-danzig-arsenal-with-socket-bayonet-lock-dated-1837","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}