Item Description
Original item: One Only. The US Model 1842 Muskets 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.
Many of these Infantry Muskets saw service in the Civil war and afterwards went home with the soldier who carried it. In civilian life it was too cumbersome and many, like this one, were adapted to "Sporting Weapons" after the war and used for Hunting. These were also often made and sold to Native American populations as well.
With all iron mounts this example comes with its original barrel shortened to 31 1/2" and much of the fore stock removed for ease of use and a great reduction in weight. Being a musket with a smooth bore it became a fine bird gun. The original ramrod is now lost, but it does have a fitting for a wooden ramrod, which could easily be replaced.
The lock bears its original military markings of the American Eagle over U.S., with HARPERS / FERRY / 1848 on the lock plate tail. The barrel proofs and dates are unfortunately worn away from years of use.
This example comes direct from over 100 years of attic storage and we are basically offering all this rather large collection on an as found basis for the home gunsmith to restore. A rare HARPER'S FERRY marked Musket that was butchered into a "trade shotgun". Such a pity, but still a very real part of American history.
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: 1848 - shortened c.1865
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Lead Shot and Powder
Barrel Length: 31 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 47 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". 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.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
