Description
This pattern of weapon is often called a “Selma Alteration” of muskets to artillery unit support weapons. The vast majority known have 36″ barrels which were cut at the Selma Arsenal for issue to artillery units in Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. Starting out as a standard US Model 1842 smoothbore musket made in 1847, this gun was altered in mid-1861 and sent back to serve the South. The barrels were shortened, re-pinned and pieces of furniture such as band springs were removed.
Artillery units were issued weapons for the purpose of close range defense of cannon emplacements so full length weapons didn’t fit the bill well–utilizing making do, many muskets were shortened for this purpose.
This particular weapon surfaced in an estate sale in upper Mississippi and is untouched as you will ever find, exhibiting a deep overall smooth brown untouched patina from end to end.
While not a “standard” gun of the War years, it is a prime example of making do with what you have on hand! The weapon functions properly and even retains the original trumpet shaped ramrod. This is an incredibly inexpensive and totally original example of a true Southern weapon.
