Original Civil War Era French Modèle 1842 Percussion Rifled Musket by E. Monseur of Liège Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is exactly the type of “Rifled” Musket that the Confederacy imported from Western Europe before and during the Civil War. Here we have a French Model of 1842 Rifled Musket with a back action lock. These were usually produced as smoothbore long muskets, but the export trade required rifles, indicating this was possibly made for export to the U.S. Civil War Market. This example has a lovely “attic fresh” look to it, with dried grease and patination on the metalwork, and a lovely aged look to the wood. Aside from a cursory cleaning, we have left it as found to preserve the beautiful patina of age.

It is fully steel mounted, but bears no visible markings on the lock plate besides the CROWN over B proof mark. This was often done when the musket was rifled, or when it was imported during the American Civil War, as countries did not want to be seen as “taking sides.”. It is however marked on the side of the barrel E. MONSEUR / LIÈGE, a Belgian maker known to have supplied the U.S. during the Civil war. Below this is an E / L G / * in an oval on the left hand side, indicating manufacture and inspection in Liège, Belgium. We believe the entire musket was manufactured by this firm, but as the markings are scrubbed from the lock-plate, there is no way for us to be certain. The exact year of manufacture has also been lost.

The barrel is 40 1/2″ in length and the rifled musket is 56″ overall. The rifled musket has all steel mounts including the nose cap also covered in patination, as is the trigger guard, barrel bands, and small side plate. Both swing swivels are retained as well as the original ram rod. There’s also still a mount for the socket bayonet. The cap nipple cone is still intact and the lock functions at both half and full cock, firing at full. We checked the bore, and the four-groove rifling is still visible with great lands and grooves and a mostly bright finish. There is just a bit of fouling and oxidation in the grooves, and the channel through the cap nipple cone is even still open!

The stock is in fair shape with a great color, with the only serious damage being a crack to the right of the lock plate. There are also a great deal of scuffs, scratches, and dings from storage. Overall, the stock is in great condition with an inspection cartouche still visible on the right side of the buttstock. 

A very nice example of the type of imported firearms that were used during the U.S. Civil War, particularly in the South. Ready for further research and display.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1842
Caliber: .69″
Cartridge Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 40 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 56 Inches
Action type: Back Action Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loaded

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.