Model 1842 pattern percussion musket was manufactured in 1852 by the Palmetto Armory of Columbia, South Carolina. The Palmetto Armory was a private manufacturing firm established in 1851 by William Glaze and Benjamin Flagg. In 1851 South Carolina contracted with the Palmetto Armory for weapons to arm the state militia. Included in the contract was an order for 6,000 percussion muskets.

This Palmetto Armory Model 1842 percussion musket has the distinctive brass barrel bands and bayonet lug on the underside of the barrel. The smoothbore barrel has no rear sight. The oil finished black walnut stock has an iron buttplate. The barrel, lock plate, trigger guard, side plate and buttplate are National Armory Bright. The lock plate has the distinctive Palmetto Armory markings that consist of "COLUMBIA/S.C. 1852" stamped in two vertical lines behind the hammer and a narrow trunk palm tree ("spiral tree") circled by "PALMETTO. ARMORY. S*C." with a five pointed star between the "S" and "C". The barrel tang is stamped "S.C." only a portion of the S is visible and the left side of the barrel is marked with "V/P/Palm Tree" proof and inspection marks parallel to the bore. "W.G. & CO." is stamped on the left barrel flat.  Purchased by South Carolina to arm the state militia during the secession crisis of the early 1850s, the Palmetto muskets are considered to be secondary Confederate weapons that almost certainly saw service during the Civil War.

Fine condition overall. The barrel, lock and iron furniture retain the National Armory Bright finish. The bolster, percussion nipple, hammer and adjacent portions of the barrel are free from flash pitting. The brass barrel bands have an untouched patina. The markings on the lock plate, tang, barrel and buttplate are sharp. The black walnut stock is good condition with moderate handling wear. This is a very good original example of a scarce Model 1842 Palmetto Armory Musket.  [SS]

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