This is a 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. Total production figures at the Springfield Armory was approximately 165,936. Between the years 1856 and 1859 several thousand Model 42's were altered, having the barrels rifled. This Model 1842 is in it's unaltered smoothbore original condition. It measures 57 3/4" overall, with a 42" barrel. The barrel is a .69 caliber, but gages out at .74 caliber. Somebody done a whole lot of shooting with this one! The bore is dark and has moderate pitting over the entire length of the bore. The exterior of the barrel has an out of the attic black patina. It matches all the other iron components. This model didn't come with a rear sight, just a brass blade front sight on the double strap front barrel band. However, this rifle has a brass blade front sight afixed to the barrel 1/4" back from the muzzle in addition to the sight on the double strap front band. The barrel has the eagle head, V and P proof marks reading from breech to muzzle. There is no date on the barrel tang. There is no bayonet lug on the barrel, but you can see where it used to be mounted on the bottom side of the barrel. The exterior of the barrel is smooth with light pitting around the hammer area. The three barrel bands are present. The barrel band retaining spring for the front band is missing though. The front and rear sling swivels are still with the musket. The lockplate is marked SPRING/FIELD/1849 behind the hammer with an eagle over the letters US forward of the hammer. The action on this weapon is very crisp. 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 dark patina as the rest of the gun. The stock is in it's original unsanded condition. There are the normal bumps and dings from handling. There is a small piece of the stock missing just behind the bolster and nipple, measures approximately 1/2" by 5/8". There are two small stress cracks on the left side of the stock opposite the lockplate 1/2" in length each. They aren't anything serious, just mentioned for accuracy. There are no cartouches on the stock. There is one set of initials, MK, on the left stock comb. A steel trumpet shaped ramrod accompanies this musket, but the threaded portion is missing. While it was a little late to see service in the Mexican war it most likely saw service during the American Civil War. One thing is for sure, it did a lot of shooting somewhere! Here's a chance to own a nice example of an early Springfield musket that won't break the bank.

Item # AA895

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