Cutdown Model 1842 Springfield Musket
Item #: AA3450
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This is a cutdown Model 1842 percussion musket produced at the Springfield Armory. The Model 1842 was the first regulation musket made at the Springfield and Harper's Ferry Armories with the percussion ignition system. This was the last smoothbore musket made in .69 caliber and the first weapon made at both National armories that was completely interchangeable parts wise. It measures 58" overall, with a 42" barrel. This one has been cutdown to an overall length of 48 1/2" with a barrel length of 32". The barrel now gauges out at .70 caliber. The bore is dark and has mild pitting, rust and debris throughout the length of the barrel. The exterior of the barrel has a dark, almost black patina with light pitting along the entire length. The patina of the barrel matches all the other iron components. The barrel has the eagle head, P and V proof marks reading from breech to muzzle, they are faint but visible. The barrel tang is not dated. The bayonet lug is no longer present even though a bayonet is rusted onto the barrel. Of the three barrel bands, only the rear band is still present. None of the three band retaining springs are present. The rear sling swivel is still with the musket, but is frozen in position. The lock plate is marked SPRING/FIELD/1855 behind the hammer with an eagle over the letters US forward of the hammer. The action on this weapon is still functional. The hammer locks in half and full cock and snaps forward when the trigger is depressed. The trigger guard and US marked butt plate have the same patina as the rest of the gun, with the tang of the butt plate being heavily pitted. The stock has been cut down just forward of the rear barrel band spring cut out. The stock has the same dark appearance as the rest of the gun. There is significant wood loss on the right side barrel channel, from the lock to about 5" forward of it. There is also wood loss below the lock from the rear to the front of it. The left side of the stock is cracked from the forward lock screw running at an angle towards the barrel 2 1/2" in length. There are a couple of shallow stress cracks in the stock running from the butt plate forward approximately 2" in length. The normal bumps and dings are also present. There is no ramrod with this cutdown Model 1842. I'm not certain what model of bayonet has rusted onto the barrel. The blade is 13 1/2" in length, looks like the last inch or so is broken off. It has no stamps or marking at all. Whatever it is, it's gonna have to be beat on to remove it! This Springfield Model 1842 has obviously spent quite a bit of time in an outbuilding somewhere to obtain this condition and appearance. It's almost certain it saw service during the Civil War, but who knows what happened to it after that. If you're looking for a wall hanger with some intrigue, here you go!
Shipping Weight:
8 lbs
Item # AA3450
(Sold)
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