Item:
ONSV7148

Original U.S. Civil War Era Springfield M1842 Percussion Artillery Short Musket by Harpers Ferry dated 1849

Item Description

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.

This example is marked with the usual "American Eagle" over US, and the lock plate tail is faintly marked HARPERS / FERRY / 1849. It is a shorter musket, either purpose made or converted to be an Artillery Short Musket, which were not carried over the shoulder, so they did not require sling swivels. Many of the Model 1842 muskets were produced under contract, however this example was made at the Government Harpers Ferry Armory. 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 barrel Knoxform has the correct V / P / Eagle's head proof marks on the left side, and there is a trace of the stock cartouche behind the side plate.

All iron mounts this .69 caliber artillery musket is in good condition, with the original ramrod present, and correct single barrel band and muzzle fitting. Having seen use it is speckled overall with old pits, but is still in fine condition and really good for display. The lock functions correctly, holding at half cock and firing at full. The left side of the butt stock is marked A. B. C. F, but we do not know what the meaning is.

Almost certainly this musket saw service in the U.S. Civil War, very likely for the Confederacy after the Armory was Captured. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1849
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 31 Inches

Overall Length: 46 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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