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, and this later production example has been so modified into a "Long Range" version. The barrel was rifled, and it was fitted with a long range rear sight that fit into a dovetail on the barrel, which is unfortunately now missing. It also has some interesting characteristics suggesting it has a bit more history to it than just that.

The rifled musket is marked with an "American Eagle" over US, and the lock plate tail is clearly marked SPRING / FIELD / 1848. 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, however it is made from brass, and may be a working life replacement. Previous iterations had had a more pronounced side plate with a bulge in the middle. The barrel breech area shows past oxidation and powder burn, now cleaned away, and still has the original V / P / Eagle's Head markings on the left hand side, with a faint 1854 date stamped into the barrel tang. We assume that when it was rifled, barrels may have been swapped, or it was fitted with a new barrel. We were not able to see any inspector cartouches on the left hand side of the stock.

With all iron mounts this .69 caliber musket looks to have seen a good amount of service, with the barrel showing a peppered patina, which has been cleaned repeatedly, giving it a unique look. The trigger guard and butt plate also show a peppery patina, while the barrel bands and nose cap show a bit less oxidation. The original cap bolster is in very good shape, with what looks to be a modern replacement nipple cone installed, which is clear and shows only light 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 still shows clear three groove rifling, though there is also some fouling and past oxidation. 

The barrel bands and nose cap are all present, and the butt plate is very faintly U.S. marked, along with a 38 rack marking. 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 cleaning rod is unfortunately missing.

The stock is in very good condition, with a lovely brown color and original oiled finish, showing some staining near the fittings due to oxidation. There are some gouges in the wood and small chips missing, as well as some wood missing along the wood line on the left for stock. There is also some cracking to the rear of the butt stock next to the butt plate, but these are not structural. There are no repairs that we can see, and overall it looks like a musket that saw long honest service during the war, and was retired afterwards.

A really lovely original example of the last smoothbore percussion musket that the United States fielded, later rifled for long range use. Ready to cherish and display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1848 & 1854
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

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