Description
Very fine overall example of the US Model 1842 smoothbore musket that was shipped back to a US arsenal to be rifled and fitted with a long range rear sight. About 166,000 smoothbore muskets were produced at Springfield Armory during the production era.
Between 1855 and 1859 slightly less than 44,000 mixed maker M1842 muskets were rifled at five U.S. arsenals and armories, including Springfield, Harpers Ferry, Saint Louis, Frankford, and Benicia Arsenals. Of the 43,759 muskets rifled, only 23,683 received long-range rear sights. The rifled and sighted alterations took place at both Harper’s Ferry and Springfield, as well as at Saint Louis and Frankford. Benicia Arsenal did not apply long-range rear sights to any guns they altered. Between 1856 and 1859 Springfield rifled and sighted 9,929 M1842s and Harpers Ferry rifled and sighted 11,060 M1842s. Frankford Arsenal rifled and sighted 1,313 between 1857 and 1858 while the Saint Louis rifled and sighted 1,381 in 1857.
Not only is this scarce weapon in exceptional condition, it has a very clear set of initials and a number carved in the stock—with a little time and effort, it may be an IDENTIFIED weapon as well!
