This is the first regulation model of a musket made in the percussion ignition system at the national armories. The Springfield Armory produced 172,000 of these muskets between 1844 and 1855. It is a 69 caliber. The lockplate markings are an American eagle motif above US forward of the hammer and behind the hammer, marked vertically is SPRINGFIELD / DATE. The breech of the barrel is marked V/P and the eagle head and the date. Original ramrod with trumpet shaped head. Between 1856 and 1859 14,182 were altered by Springfield and Harper’s Ferry. They were altered by rifling the barrel and less than 10,000 had long range rear sights added.

This is one of the rifled model 1842’s. Lockplate and barrel are both dated 1853. All iron parts are a semi-bright gunmetal gray patina. Stock has been lightly sanded and no cartouche is visible. Bore has some pitting but rifling is good. Barrel is stamped with a F and 85 and the bolster is marked 79.

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