This large smoothbore weapon is the Model 1842 Austrian musket in .72 caliber.  This weapon measures 57 ½” overall with a 42 ½” round barrel. Barrel surface is mostly smooth and bright with light surface oxidation overall. Numerous worn production and inspector stamps are found on the breech. The breech tang supports a heavy, notched rear sight while the thick blade site at the muzzle is partially surrounded by the upper barrel band. The bore is clear with some oxidation. Three iron bands hold the barrel in place and they in turn are secured by band springs. Sling swivels are mounted on the middle band and the trigger guard. Original heavy ramrod has no threads on end.  All iron is mostly bright with very small spots of light surface rust. Most metal parts are uniformly numbered “14”.

The very interesting lock is of the tube priming system. Vincenz Augustin, principal inspector of hand held firearms and the artillery in the Viennese Arsenal developed this system where the lock utilized a small tube-shaped primer to fire the cartridge. These were developed during the era of change from flint ignition. The lock plate is smooth with beveled edge. It bears a small stamp behind the hammer and the last three digits of the year of manufacture under the bolster. In this case the year is represented by 851 (1851). A large S-shaped hammer was added to strike a button-like “firing pin” mounted atop the new devise. The new priming mechanism was mounted where the frizzen pan “of old” was positioned. The top (where the hammer struck) was hinged and was opened to insert a small tube primer that was attached to each cartridge. The old feather spring was retained to place tension on the “lid”.

The stock is made of a “semi-hard white wood with pronounced grain” and remains strong and unbroken. The usual dings and dents are visible.

At least 25,000 of these Austrian tube-lock muskets were purchased by the U.S. Ordnance Department during the Civil War.  This musket represents an interesting step in the change from flint to percussion ignition.  [jet]

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