French Model 1842 Musket
Item #: AA3244
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This is a French Model 1842 smoothbore musket from the Civil War era. These muskets were manufactured in two length's, 58 1/4" or 56" overall, with a 42 5/8" or 40 1/2" barrel and were .71 caliber. The longer muskets were issued to regular French line Infantry units, while the shorter muskets were issued to light Infantry units. This one has an overall length of 56", with a barrel length of 40 1/2". Approximately 147,000 French and Belgium muskets were purchased by the US Ordnance Department, with the Model 1842 being the lion's share of the imports. There are no records of Confederate purchases of these arms, but I had one with North Carolina history! The barrel has a dark, attic patina with a pitted exterior along the entire surface. There is a small block rear sight on the barrel tang. I cannot make out the French proofs marks on the barrel due to the pitting and patina. This one did some shooting, and gauges out at .76 caliber. The bore is dark and heavily rusted. The nipple is missing from the bolster. There is a bayonet lug on the bottom side of the barrel. The lockplate has the same patina as the barrel and is lightly pitted. It is stamped Mre. Impale. de Chatellerault in cursive letters. It stand for The Imperial Manufactory at Chatellerault. The trigger guard, barrel bands and butt plate are iron, and all have a rusted, pitted. The mechanics of the lock function perfect and are very crisp. The ramrod is present, but both sling swivels are broken off. The walnut stock shows the same dirty, aged appearance as the rest of the gun. There is no wood loss and the barrel and ramrod channels are still very crisp. There are two small stress cracks on the front side of the lock that extend approximately 3/4" and 1". The stock has several stamps, on the right side is the arsenal name of Chatellerault and an oval stamp, but the oval is only partially legible. You can read a date of 1852 and the letter C in the segments still visible. There are also two inspector cartouches, an AC intertwined and the letter B below a crown on the right side of the stock. The left side of the stock near the butt plate is stamped 1651, but has been over stamped with 204I. This musket displays well and will go along way in completing your Civil War long arm collection.
Shipping Weight:
8 lbs
Item # AA3244
(Sold)
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