.69 caliber. 42" barrel secured by three flat, spring retained bands. NSN. Browned finish, iron furniture, walnut stock. Single shot smoothbore muzzleloading percussion musket made without a rear sight, a brass blade front sight, sling swivels and a trumpet head ramrod that is short of full length. Lock is unmarked other than an upside down "C" and a period stamped near the front lock screw. Barrel with standard "V/P/{Eagle Head}" proof marks at the breech and an 1851 date on the tang. Tang of buttplate stamped "SC". Several block "J.P.C" inspections are found in the wood, on the counterpane, foreword of the counterpane and in the wood forward of the lock. This appears to be the third of four marks associated with Springfield Arsenal sub-inspector James P Chapman. The initials "C.W." are lightly carved into the counterpane of the gun.

Although unmarked, this musket is probably part of the second order for 1842 pattern muskets placed by the state of South Carolina with northern businesses. The first order was placed with William Glaze and Thomas Radcliff, who in turn ordered the guns from William H Smith & Company in New York. This 1849 order resulted in the 100 South Carolina "Flagg" Muskets that were assembled by Asa Waters with locks made by Benjamin Flagg, using a combination of Flagg, Waters and condemned US arsenal parts to assemble them. In 1850 an additional order was placed by the state of South Carolina with Glaze & Radcliffe for 660 1842 pattern muskets, which again Glaze & Radcliffe filled by ordering the guns from William H Smith of New York. These guns were also built and delivered by Asa Waters and most bear his marks on the locks. However, some unmarked examples exist and this appears to be one of those. Again, Waters sourced parts form a variety of places, including his own production, US arsenal condemned and surplus parts and by repurposing some older parts like Model 1816 and 1840 locks. These are rare, secondary Confederate arms, which do not regularly appear on the market and are not always correctly identified when they do. {ANTIQUE}

Good as refinished. Bore dark, heavily oxidized and showing some lightly scattered pitting. Metal with what appears to be a combination of old, period brown, applied brown and oxidized patina. Some areas show little or no finish with a dull pewter patina, other areas, like the breech show some aded brown finish over light pitting. Metal shows scattered surface roughness and some scattered pitting. Markings are sparse, but mostly legible. Lock is mechanically functional. Wood with moderate wear, showing numerous scattered bumps, dings and mars but retaining good edges.