Original item: One of a Kind. Over the years, IMA has purchased many collections and groups of antique guns, in which case we need to take all of them, as we did in Nepal. While these collections were generally full of guns that relatively good condition, they also had some that were less complete and unfortunately would take more restoration time than we were able to give them. We kept them in storage, possibly for future products, but have now decided to offer these "As Found" antique firearms to our customers as restoration projects. These are all original and as we received them, except for cleaning the dirt and grime off the exterior.

Please note that these are still real antique guns, and are being sold in "As is" condition at a significant discount from what they would sell at if we were to fully restore them. We will do our best to photograph and describe them and know that our customers will know exactly what they are getting. Some of these, such as this example, look to have possibly been project or parts guns, and are missing a significant amount of parts. These are being sold in "Grade 2" condition, and on these ALL SALES ARE FINAL.

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 Fusil d'Infanterie Modèle 1842 with a back action lock and barrel that is now rifled. 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. It is fully steel mounted and does bear a faint maker marking on the lock plate: Mre R'le / de Tulle, indicating manufacture at the Royal French Arsenal located in Tulle. After importation, it had the front stock "cut down" or "sporterized", and probably saw use as a hunting gun on the western frontier. It was shortened a bit, though the barrel is 34" in length and the rifled musket is 49 1/2" overall, So it was not shortened that much.

Condition Notes:
- Overall condition shows significant oxidation and pitting on the metalwork.
- Lock is in functional, but does not hold at half cock at all.
- Bore of the barrel does show rifling but also much fouling and corrosion.
- Sling swivels have been removed.
- Cleaning rod is still present and looks to be original.

A very nice relic condition "sporterized" example of the type of imported firearms that were used during the U.S. Civil War, particularly in the South. This could be the start of a really great restoration project. Please make sure to look at all the pictures before purchasing, as ALL SALES ARE FINAL.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1845-50
Caliber: about .70"
Cartridge Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 34 Inches
Overall Length: 49 1/2 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.