U00452 U.S. CIVIL WAR IMPORTED FRENCH M1842 MUSKET. During the first summer of the civil war, both the Union and Confederate armies found themselves short of arms, their arsenals exhausted, and production unable to meet demand. Consequently, agents were sent to Europe to procure whatever obsolescent weapons they could. Approximately 25,000 French Model 1842 muskets were imported, even though the American Ordnance Department rated them a serviceable but substandard third class. They were originally .69 caliber but were rebored to .70 and .71. A Model 1842 infantry musket, approximately 56" in overall length, comprised of a bright steel barrel and fittings set into a hardwood stock. What appears to be a "V" or "W" is stamped to the top of its metal butt plate. The swiveling base for the shoulder strap loop, which is presently absent, is to the forward edge of the trigger guard. Stamped on the lock plate to the left of the hammer is "Mre. Nle. De Tulle," which is the name of the arsenal which produced it, the "Nle." ("Nationale") having been used between 1848 and 1852 ("Rle.," for "Royal," was used before 1848, and "Imperiale" was used after 1852). An indecipherable stamp within a vertical oval may also be seen to the lock plate. A three-sided escutcheon is to the left side of the musket, opposite the lock plate. Stamped to the left side of the barrel, above the escutcheon, is what appears to be "E," "L," and "G" within a circle. An encircled "P" is stamped above the aforementioned. A notched sight is to the top of the barrel, just behind the hammer. Three collars proceed up the stock, the middle of these having the other swiveling loop, presently seized, for the shoulder strap to its underside. A groove runs underneath the stock and the two forward collars, for the, absent, removable ramrod. The forward sight is between the opening of the double-strapped forward collar. The musket’s bore is smooth. Moderate to heavy surface spotting and pitting may be seen to all of its metal components, and the wood has the expected nicks and scratches to its age darkened surface. The trigger and hammer appear to function normally.

GRADE ***                             PRICE $932.00

To Order this item, please use one of the two e-mail addresses below to contact us. Please make sure to quote the item number in your e-mail

-E-Mail Address pawmac@nbnet.nb.ca  Or  guild@nb.aibn.com

To return to the main page please CLICK below