This smoothbore Model 1842 musket is a southern arsenal rework with an unmarked lock and minus the ramrod. The buttplate tang bears an “SC” South Carolina mark.

The barrel surface has mostly turned a plumb brown and is smooth over most of its area except for a 7.00 inch section between the first two barrel bands which is heavily pitted. Being a smoothbore there is no rear sight. The brass blade front sight is mounted on the forward most strap of the front double band. The bayonet lug is present at the bottom of the muzzle. Left barrel flat at breech has a very strong “VP” over an eaglehead with a visible barrel date of “1850” at the top. A small area of light pitting obscures the “18” in the date. Bore has built up dirt and there is probably some pitting under the dirt.

The lockplate is the same size and shape as that of a US lock but it is blank with no markings of any kind. Lock appears to have been blued and a bit of it remains. Hammer is also of the Model 1842 style. Action is strong and works properly. Nipple is original and shows some wear.

The stock is in overall very nice condition. It has the usual dings and dents from age and use but no cracks or chips are visible. One of the scratches is a bit deep but not serious. There are no inspector’s marks. All three barrel bands are present as are the band springs. All three springs are dark with the rearmost spring showing some pitting. Both sling swivels are present. Triggerguard and buttplate are mostly clean. Tang of the triggerguard shows a small casting flaw and the tang of the buttplate has a very strong “SC” showing South Carolina ownership and usage.

With the weapon is a notarized letter from a member of the Rosensteel family stating that the musket passed from John Rosensteel, who lived in Gettysburg at the time of the battle, to his nephew George and his wife Emily, who passed it to their daughter, who then passed it on to her son, who passed it to his son. All specific details and names not mentioned here are in this 2018 notarized letter. The letter also states that this musket was retained by the Rosensteel family when the majority of their collection was donated to the Gettysburg National Military Park.

This is a rare opportunity to own a Confederate musket used at Gettysburg with solid provenance.  [ad]

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