Original Excellent U.S. Civil War Era Springfield Model 1842 Percussion Musket by Springfield Armory – dated 1852 Original Items

Original item: One Only. The US Model 1842 Musket 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.

The Models 1840 & 1842 were made with thicker barrel walls, with the intention that they could be rifled later, however this fantastic example is still in the original smoothbore configuration. It is marked with an “American Eagle” over US, and the lock plate tail is clearly marked SPRING / FIELD / 1852. Many of these muskets were produced under contract, however this example was made at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield itself. The rifle side plate is thin and not bulged, as typical of the Model 1842 Musket. Previous iterations had had a more pronounced side plate with a bulge in the middle.

The barrel shows very little in the way of powder burn, and still has crisp original V / P / Eagle’s Head markings on the left hand side, with an 1852 date stamped into the barrel tang. There is even the original oval GW cartouche on the left side of the stock by the lock screws, which could be for one of several inspectors working at the time at Springfield.

With all iron mounts this .69 caliber musket is really in excellent condition, probably one of the best we have ever seen. It’s ALL ORIGINAL, and doesn’t look to have been subject to any major cleaning or restoration efforts, and shows a fantastic patina of age. It still has the the original “tulip” shape ramrod present, along with both barrel bands and the nose cap. The butt plate is correctly U.S. marked. It still has both sling swivels present, one on the middle barrel band and one on the front of the trigger guard, both moving freely.

The original cap bolster is in great shape, with what looks to be the original nipple cone installed, showing some wear. The lock still functions correctly, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full, and the mechanics have very little in the way of slop. We checked the bore, and it is still smoothbore, and was not rifled later as many were. It only shows minor oxidation an fouling, so it definitely does not look to have seen much use at all.

The metalwork overall has an oxidized patina from years of gentle care, showing some light peppering and staining in areas, but no major oxidation. The stock is in very good condition, with a lovely dark red brown color and original oiled finish. There are no signs of major cleaning or reconditioning, though it looks like there was something, possibly a painted marking, on the left side of the butt stock, which was cleaned away at some point in the past.

A really great all original example of the last smoothbore percussion musket that the United States fielded, still in the original smoothbore configuration. Ready to cherish and display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1852
Caliber: .69″
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 42 Inches
Overall Length: 58 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. International customers should always consult their country’s antique gun laws prior to ordering.