This is an as issued example of an all original near new Springfield Model 1842 musket that was 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 has a lock marked "SPRING/FIELD/1853" behind the hammer with the eagle/shield motif over "US" ahead of the hammer. The barrel tang is also dated "1853" and the left rear of the barrel is marked with the "V/P/eagle head" proofmarks. 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.