This is a beautiful example of an all original unaltered, near new Springfield Model 1842 musket as manufactured by Springfield Armory. This series of rifle was manufactured by Harpers Ferry from 1844 to 1855 and has the distinction of being the first regulation percussion firearm manufactured in a national armory and the first U.S. firearm manufactured with interchangeable components. The Model 1842 musket was the primary infantry weapon of both the Union and Confederate Armies during the first two years of the Civil War. It was still carried in significant quantities by both armies as late as 1863 and was not fully replaced by the .58 caliber rifle-musket at the end of the war. This particular example is a early production model with the lock marked "SPRING/FIELD/1844" behind the hammer with the eagle/shield motif over "US" ahead of the hammer. The barrel tang is dated "1844" and the left rear of the barrel is marked with the "V/P/eagle head" proof marks. The musket has an arsenal bright metal finish overall and is fitted with a full length, one-piece oil finished black walnut stock. The left flat is marked with a single "JAS" cartouche in a small oval. with a small letter "L" sub-inspectors on the trigger guard bow. The top of the buttplate tang is marked "US" and this excellent musket is complete with the original trumpet head iron ramrod and an original unmarked bayonet.

Excellent with most of the original Armory Bright style finish remaining, mixed with an old dried grease/brown colored patina around the edges of the metal and wood. The metal markings are crisp and sharp and the screws are crisp. The only exception is that there is a filed groove right through the date on the tan, possibly intened to be used as an index mark for the tang alignment. The stock is also like new with the original raised grain/feathered appearance to the wood. The lock plate and side plates mortised flat areas are crisp and sharp and show no wear or handling marks and the cartouche is crisp and sharp. The bayonet is good showing an old cleaning with light pin-prick pitting in various areas.