William Glaze and Thomas W. Radcliff's Palmetto Armory in Columbia, South Carolina, received a state contract for 6,000 Model 1842 muskets. These were delivered in 1852 and 1853. These state contract muskets would have been among the better arms in the southern arsenals at the outbreak of the Civil War and saw extensive use throughout the war in the hands of Confederate soldiers. Palmetto Armory Model 1842 muskets are described on pages 212-218 of George D. Moller's book "American Military Shoulder Arms Volume III". It has a bayonet stud on the bottom near the muzzle, blade front sight on the upper barrel band, "V/P/eagle head" proofs marked on the left side of the barrel at the breech, "W.G&CO." on the left barrel flat, "PALMETTO ARMORY/S*C" in a circle around a palm tree marked at the center of the lock, "COLUMBIA/S C. 1852" marked on the tail of the lock, "S.C." marked on the buttplate tang, iron furniture, sling swivels on the middle barrel band and front of the trigger guard, and a "trumpet" head ramrod. "D. A. Hunting/Co. K" carved in large letters on the right of the buttstock. At the time of writing this description, the only possible match found is Union soldier Private Daniel A. Hunting of the 21st Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, Company K, who originally enlisted on July 19th, 1861 and was mustered out with a brief description noted as "disch disability" on October 21st, 1862; which means he was in service just long enough to be present during the Battle of Antietam on September 17th, 1862, and was likely injured there. The 21st Massachusetts Infantry Regiment had their baptism by fire at the Battle of Roanoke Island on February 7th-8th, 1862, and it is very possible Union soldier Private Daniel A. Hunting could have captured this musket from a Confederate during any one of the battles he was involved in prior to and including the Battle of Antietam!

Fair, exhibiting genuine Civil War use with scattered dark brown patina and surface oxidation with otherwise legible markings in the metal. Stock is also good with scattered scratches, dents, chips, absent sections around the barrel tang, and carved name as mentioned above. Mechanically fine. As an originally Confederate issued musket with a possible ties to being Union captured, this musket has tangible history and would make a great addition to any Civil War collection!