US Harper’s Ferry M1842 Percussion Musketoon

Description

U.S. Model 1842 Percussion Musket, manufactured circa 1845 in Harpers Ferry, Virginia.
The Model 1842 was the first regulation musket made in the percussion ignition system at
both Springfield and Harpers Ferry Armories, as well as the first to be produced by both
national armories with fully-interchangeable parts. These were also the last .69 caliber
smoothbore arms to be produced by the U.S. government. Approximately 275,000 were
manufactured between 1844 and 1855, with about 103,000 produced at Harpers Ferry.
Along with usage during the Mexican-American War in 1846 through 1848, these would
have been in the hands of local militia all over the United States and used by both sides at
the outbreak of the American Civil War. This example was shortened to musketoon length,
with the barrel reduced to 22 1/4″, retaining the first and third barrel bands. It is possible
that the conversion to musketoon was performed at the Macon Arsenal in Georgia, as many
of these muskets would have been in Southern hands at the outbreak of the Civil War and
many conversions and repairs were performed there. Such pieces were prized by
cavalrymen, who used the large caliber and short barrel as a scatter gun at close range.
Flat lock plate stamped “HARPERS/FERRY/1845″ (worn, the “5″ only partially visible)
vertically behind the hammer with an eagle (worn) over “US” forward of the hammer.
Walnut stock with iron mounts, including trigger guard, serpentine side plate, two barrel
bands, and butt plate stamped “US” and “H/50″ on the tang. Ramrod with conical tip. Left
side of butt carved with “OXFORD/N.Y.” Mechanically very good. Metal moderately pitted,
heavier at the breech, with dark patina. Stock repaired behind the barrel tang, with
scattered nicks and dents. Overall length 38″.