Original British Lovell’s Pattern of 1842 Percussion Musket by Lacy & Co. circa 1845 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is something that we have only had a very few of over the years. The British Lovell’s Pattern of 1842 was the last smoothbore musket adopted by British Forces, and would be superseded in 1853 by the “3-Band Enfield” Pattern of 1853.

When Queen Victoria came to the British Throne in 1837, the very last model of Brown Bess Flintlock Musket that incidentally had a 42″ barrel was adopted in 1838. Apart from this obsolete length, the norm then being 39″, and the Victorian Lock markings the lock had a rounded” back; not pointed as in all previous Brown Bess models.

This P-1838 is among the most rare Brown Bess of all as it was superseded almost as soon as it was introduced. In 1839 the Percussion system was officially adopted and a vast conversion program was instituted to convert all Brown Bess Flintlock Muskets to this new ignition system. By 1841 the Tower of London, England’s greatest Arsenal, had over 280,000 newly converted Brown Bess muskets in its armories.

On October 30th 1841 there occurred “THE GREAT FIRE OF THE TOWER OF LONDON” and just about all of these freshly converted muskets were destroyed. As it happened, just three days before this tragic fire, a fresh model percussion musket had been approved and sealed. This new Musket became known as the Lovell’s Pattern Musket of 1842. At the time Lovell was the “Inspector of Small Arms,” a post he rose to in 1840, and the new style musket that bears his name is essentially none other than the East India Company Musket already in use by the East India Company for some years.

Once again the government copied private enterprise just as they had with the third model Brown Bess in 1796 that was known as the “India Pattern” and was copied from the East India Company Brown Bess musket adopted in 1771.

This example that we offer here was private contractor made by LACY & Co. of London, as marked on the lock plate. It also bears barrel proof marks from the English city of Birmingham, which look to be the standard “proof” and “viewed” marks. There really aren’t much of any markings other than these on the musket.

Condition is very nice, with a lovely stock that has a lot of flame in the butt stock area. It is however missing a strip of wood on the right forestock, and the front sling swivel is missing. This example was also made prior to the introduction of the “Lovell Style” bayonet catch, and does not show signs of ever having one. The lock is functional, but does not hold securely at half-cock.

There is also a very interesting sight that was installed on this musket, which looks to be some type of standard ladder sight. Unfortunately the sight leaf has broken off, so it is permanently in the close range configuration.

A very nice interesting contractor made P-1842 musket, ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1845
Caliber: .75″
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 39 Inches
Overall Length: 56 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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