- Location
- West coast of Vancouver Island
The Model 1842 was notable in several respects, chiefly that is was the last .69 caliber musket and the first purpose built percussion musket issued to U.S. troops. Additionally, it was the first weapon made at both the Harpers Ferry and Springfield Armoury with completely interchangeable parts. Harpers Ferry produced 103,000 while Springfield produced 172,000 for a total production surpassing a quarter of a million arms. Originally a smoothbore musket that sometime between 1856 and 1859 was returned to one of the two national armouries to be rifled. The figures are for "rifled and sighted" 14,182, and just "rifled" 4,363 (making this rifle one of the 4,363). The barrel has been cut from 42" to 30". From the condition of the patina on the barrel, under and around the bands, it could be assumed that the nose-cap has been in position as long as the rear barrel band. A possible survivor of the Mexican War definitely a survivor of the War between the States. This is my 4th Civil War Veteran
Here is a photo of the musket with the varnish removed. I hate to touch the finish on old muskets but the non-original varnish was thick and had dried drips. Someone had slapped on the varnish to cover both the metal and wood:-(
The 1842 Rifled Musket used a .69 cal "Minie Ball".
The original 1842 muskets .69 cal smoothbore which, among other smoothies, armed both sides for the first years of the war. The primary ammunition issued for this musket was the .69 cal "buck and ball" cartridge, one .69 cal round ball topped by three .30 cal buckshot. Devastating at close range.
During the American Civil War thousands of Canadians answered the American call to arms. Figures vary from 30,000 to 55,000 Canadians fought on both sides. With fatal casualty averaging one in five, as many as 11,000 died and with one in seven wounded up to 8,000 wounded. There were 19 Medal of Honors won by Canadians.
Here is a photo of the musket with the varnish removed. I hate to touch the finish on old muskets but the non-original varnish was thick and had dried drips. Someone had slapped on the varnish to cover both the metal and wood:-(
The 1842 Rifled Musket used a .69 cal "Minie Ball".
The original 1842 muskets .69 cal smoothbore which, among other smoothies, armed both sides for the first years of the war. The primary ammunition issued for this musket was the .69 cal "buck and ball" cartridge, one .69 cal round ball topped by three .30 cal buckshot. Devastating at close range.
During the American Civil War thousands of Canadians answered the American call to arms. Figures vary from 30,000 to 55,000 Canadians fought on both sides. With fatal casualty averaging one in five, as many as 11,000 died and with one in seven wounded up to 8,000 wounded. There were 19 Medal of Honors won by Canadians.
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