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. This example is duffle-cut, with the forestock nose still being disconnected from the rest of the stock. The bore is also heavily worn from use, rating at near a .73 rather than its original .69. There are a few other issues, but the history of this rifle outshines them.

This 1842 musket is provided with a context carved into the buttstock onto a carved “scroll”:

WAS USED IN WARS
OF 1844 AND 1861 BY
BILL HUTCHISON GIVEN
TO W. I. SIMS 1881 TO
J.C. HALEY 1909

This inscription denotes that this musket was used in the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) and although the inscription states War of 1844, it was likely a mistake as there was no conflict in 1844. This could also be the year Hutchison originally enlisted. In our research, we have found a William F. Hutchison, born in 1824 in Wayne County, Kentucky. Hutchison moved to Mississippi when he was 18 and joined Jefferson Davis’ regiment, and “was in all the principal battles of the Mexican War.” He then joined Confederate forces when the Civil War broke out, serving as a First Sergeant. He moved back to Kentucky after the war had ended. He passed away in 1874, leaving behind a wife and six children. The rifle was then likely given to W.I. Sims in 1881 by the family. In our research, this is the only result we found for a soldier with the name William Hutchison serving in both the Mexican-American and Civil Wars. We cannot be certain of this identification, but it is the most likely from what we have found. It also adds a great deal of provenance up to 1909 when the musket was given to J.C. Haley. The carving was likely done in 1909 by Haley to record the history of the musket to that point.

There was originally a note with the musket stating that it was purchased in North Georgia near Chattanooga in the mid-1970’s from a listing in classified ads in the Chattanooga Newspaper. So its location at that point does support the theory that it belonged to a Confederate soldier.

This musket also has a lock-plate which is dated 1852 and appears a bit newer and cleaner than the barrel, meaning this musket was used during the Mexican-American War, had the lock-plate replaced post-war, and was reused during the Civil War. As Confederate forces often used whatever they had and had to mix & match parts very often, this lines up well within the story.

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 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, and this one may have been, however at least the lock-plate on 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.

From the look of the barrel, this musket has seen a lot of firing, and does have significant powder burn around the cap bolster on the barrel and bolster. The powder burn is so deep that we are unable to see any markings that were once on the barrel nocks form & tang. As previously stated, the barrel is certainly original to the musket while the lock-plate was replaced after the Mexican-American War. 

With all iron mounts this .69 caliber musket is in good used condition, with 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. There is powder burn near the cap bolster, and the metalwork shows some deterioration in that area. The cap nipple cone looks to be original, and shows very heavy wear from oxidation and cleaning. The lock still functions correctly, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full. We checked the bore, and if it was rifled at any point, we can no longer tell. This barrel was used extensively during two wars and shows a great deal of oxidation, fowling, and age. There are also holes from a guard being drilled next to the plate, but it is gone.

The metalwork overall has an oxidized patina from years of cleaning in certain places, showing some past peppering and light oxidation pitting in areas, with still visible oxidation in other spots. The stock is in fair condition, with a lovely red brown color and oiled finish. It has been duffle-cut and is separated after the front barrel band, although it displays fine with the barrel pushed together. There is also a large chunk of wood missing under the area behind the duffle cut. Really a great looking old musket with a phenomenal history that would look fantastic hanging on the wall.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: c.1844 & 1852
Caliber: .69" (Now measuring at .73)
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 42 Inches
Overall Length: 58 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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