Item Description
Original item: One Only. The US Model 1840 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. An artillery short musket was also produced or modified from the long musket, and were 6 to 10 inches shorter.
The Model 1840 was mainly an incremental improvement over the earlier model 1835. The main differences were a buttstock with a comb top, and also a thicker walled barrel. It was foreseen that eventually many of these muskets would be converted to Rifled Muskets, so the models 1840 and 1842 featured these barrels. 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, as this one was.
The percussion cap system was vastly superior to the flintlock, being much more reliable and much more resistant to weather. Later on, many of the model 1842 muskets were converted to rifled muskets, but this one is still in the original smoothbore configuration.
What makes this example particularly interesting is the date on the lock plate: 1843. The lock on this example was definitely converted from percussion, and even still has remnants of the brass pan. The barrel is also definitely converted, however in 1843 this should have been made as percussion. We would imagine that the rmusket was produced as a flintlock, but never left arsenal, and was dated when converted.
The lock is marked with the usual "American Eagle" over US, and the lock plate tail is marked SPRING / FIELD / 1843. Many of these muskets were produced under contract, however this example was made at Springfield Armory itself. The rifle side plate is thin and not bulged, as typical of the Model 1840 Musket. Previous iterations had had a more pronounced side plate with a bulge in the middle. The barrel Knoxform is proof marked V / P / Eagle, though they are slightly faint due to powder burn. There is also a very nice inspection cartouche on the left side, which looks to be TW, which we have not been able to identify.
All iron mounts this .69 caliber musket is in good condition, with the original ramrod present, though the front sling swivel was never installed, and the rear one is broken off. There is light pitting overall, so this is definitely a musket that saw use. Certainly used in the U.S. Civil War, this is a truly lovely example.
Fully cleaned and ready to Display!
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: 1843 - converted at Arsenal
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 32 Inches
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 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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