Item Description
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 The British Lovell's Pattern of 1842 was the last smoothbore musket adopted by British Forces, and would be superseded in 1853 by the "3-Band Enfield" Pattern of 1853. Almost all of our examples of British Percussion Muskets were East India Company issued out of Nepal. However this is a genuine British Military Issued musket.
The P-1838 is among the most rare Brown Bess of all as it was superseded almost as soon as it was introduced.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 is marked and dated 1844 / ENFIELD, for manufacture at the Royal Small Arms factory in the London Borough of Enfield. The lock plate tail is marked CROWN / V.R., meaning that this was a military production rifle, intended for British use, and it has the correct "Lock Viewer's Mark". The barrel is marked 1843 ENFIELD along with another CROWN / VR. It also bears a Birmingham proof mark, along with additional barrel proofs, which are somewhat faded. The hammer functions correctly and holds at both half cock and full cock.
The musket has been cut down roughly 6 ½ inches, with a barrel length of 32 ½”, and the front sling swivel hole has been plugged. These were originally 39 inches. There is an outlet in the nose cap for a bayonet lug, but it has been cut down. One of the ram rod holders has been moved back further. The stock is marked very faintly J. RAWLES on the left behind the action. B 13 is stamped into the buttstock on the right side, with the initials J.C.M. carved into the other side. The correct rear sight is still intact.
This musket saw heavy use, with a great deal of powder burn on the barrel nocks form and in the bore. The ram rod is still intact, but requires some force to take out. The condition is fair overall without any serious issues.
A very nice and rare Pattern 1842 Musket made at Enfield, later shortened by several inches. Ready to research and display!
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: 1844
Caliber: about .71"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: Cut Down to 32½ inches, 39 Inches Originally
Overall Length: 48 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.
- This product is available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.
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