M1842 percussion musket. .69 caliber ball. Springfield, Massachusetts: 1847. Lockplate stamped with a federal eagle and "US," and "Spring / Field / 1847" to the rear of the hammer. The stock opposite is stamped with inspector's mark "GWH," along with an illegible cartouche within an oval. Breach with "V / P" and eagle head proof marks. Top of buttplate stamped "US / 14", with "14" etched into the wood above. Barrel 41 3/4 in. Overall 57 3/4 in. long.

The metal components are clean, with some light pitting to the drum and adjacent barrel, and a dark patina to the ramrod. There are splotches of a subtle pale bloom to the buttstock.

M1842 muskets were the first United States small arms to be made entirely out of interchangeable parts. Guns manufactured at Springfield could accommodate replacement parts from Harper's Ferry and vice versa. They were near-identical to their flintlock m1840 predecessors, besides the incorporation of a percussion lock. Though manufactured smoothbore, intentional excess barrel material allowed for the guns to be easily rifled; this example retains its original smoothbore.

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Firearm, Colt, Pistol, Revolver, Rifle, Musket, Smith and Wesson, Springfield]