This is a Model 1842 percussion musket produced at the Harper's Ferry 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. Between the years 1856 and 1859 14,182 Model 42's were altered, having the barrels rifled. This Model 1842 is one of those rare one's having the barrel rifled. Still rarer, it is one of 4,000 that did not have a long range rear sight added. It measures 58 5/8" overall, with a 42 1/2" barrel. The barrel is still the original .69 caliber. The bore is dark and has light pitting, but the rifling is still good. The exterior of the barrel has an even light plum patina. It matches all the other iron components. This model didn't come with a rear sight, but a rudimentary v notch rear sight has been added to the barrel tang. The original brass blade front sight is not on the double strap front barrel band. A front sight has been applied to the barrel itself. The barrel is not from the Springfield or Harpers Ferry Armories. The usual barrel proofs are not present, but this thing has stampings all over it! The lower left barrel flat is stamped with the numbers 8 and 56. The upper left barrel flat has the proof marks of CA within oval brackets and C within a circle. The upper right barrel flat is stamped 1843, the lower flat with the letter MR, the letter A within a sunken circle, the number 7 and the letter W over P within a sunken circle. The bottom of the barrel has the stamps galore! The number 24, Y3, 3C, 9, the letter F within a sunken circle, the letter E under a three spike crown and a couple more that I am not certain of. The breech plug is stamped with the number 4, another A within a sunken circle, and the back of the breech is tamped with a 3. The barrel tang is engraved with Mle 1842. The bayonet lug is mounted on the bottom of the barrel. The exterior of the barrel is smooth with light pitting around the hammer area. The three barrel bands are present, but the retaining spring for the double strap band is missing. The barrel has the Belgian style cone conversion, which leads me to believe the barrel is Belgian. The front and rear sling swivels are still with the musket. The lockplate is marked HARPERS/FERRY/1854 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 hammer itself is a high spur curved variant. The trigger guard and US marked butt plate have the same 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 no wood loss or age cracks anywhere on the stock. There are no cartouches on the stock. A tulip head ramrod accompanies this musket. This old warhorse absolutely saw service in the American Civil War, most likely in the hands of a Confederate soldier! Here's a chance to own a nice example of a rare Harper's Ferry Confederate altered rifled musket that won't break the bank.

Item # AA1258

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