{"product_id":"original-u-s-civil-war-era-springfield-model-1842-percussion-musket-by-springfield-arsenal-dated-1849","title":"Original U.S. Civil War Era Springfield Model 1842 Percussion Musket by Springfield Arsenal - Dated 1849","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Models 1840 \u0026amp; 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 only light use, as the barrel still measures at 0.69\" at the muzzle. It displays a nice aged patina overall, with signs of light past peppering on the metalwork, which was then cleaned away. The lock plate is marked with the correct American \u003cstrong\u003e\"Federal Eagle\" \/ U.S\u003c\/strong\u003e. under of the hammer, and was produced at the \u003cem\u003eUnited States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield\u003c\/em\u003e itself, as indicated on the lock plate tail:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPRING\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFIELD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1849\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany 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 only light firing while in service, as there is only light powder burn surrounding the cap nipple cone bolster. The cone itself is in good shape, showing light oxidation, and the square portion at the bottom is still in good shape. The \u003cstrong\u003eV \/ P \/ Eagle's Head\u003c\/strong\u003e proofs on the left side are still faintly visible, and there is even an \u003cstrong\u003e1849\u003c\/strong\u003e date on the barrel tang, which are almost always completely worn away!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith all iron mounts this .69 caliber musket is in very nice condition, showing a nice aged oxidized patina in many areas, with just a bit of peppering around the cap nipple cone area. It still retains retaining both barrel bands and the iron nose cap, as well as the correct \"tulip\" headed ramrod under the barrel. Both sling swivels are present, though while the trigger guard swivel moves easily, the barrel band swivel is frozen. The butt plate is correctly \u003cstrong\u003eU.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe walnut stock has a lovely dark red brown color, having been gently cleaned to bring out the grain. There are the expected dents, dings, and other minor damage from service, but no major cracks or repairs. Really a great stock that has stood the test of time beautifully. We did look for markings, but unfortunately it looks like cleaning removed the cartouches long ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very nice example of the last smoothbore percussion musket that the United States fielded, still in the original configuration and showing a lovely lightly used patina. Ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications (Musket):-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1849\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .69\"\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Ball and Powder\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 42 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 57 3\/4 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Side Action Percussion Lock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Muzzle Loading \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":42750474584133,"sku":"ONJR24FESS094","price":1895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24FESS094__02.jpg?v=1747255522","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-civil-war-era-springfield-model-1842-percussion-musket-by-springfield-arsenal-dated-1849","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}