This is the first regulation model of a musket made in the percussion ignition system at the national armories. The Springfield Armory produced 172,000 of these muskets between 1844 and 1855. Between 1856 and 1859 14,182 were altered by Springfield and Harper’s Ferry. They were altered by rifling the barrels and less than 10,000 had long range rear sights added. It is a 69 caliber. The lockplate markings are an American eagle motif above US forward of the hammer and behind the hammer, marked vertically is SPRINGFIELD / 1855. The breech of the barrel is marked V/P and the eagle head and the date, 1853. Inspectors initials cartouche is stamped on left side opposite lock and it is light but visible. All the iron has a gunmetal gray patina. Buttplate is marked US and has the number 25 stamped on it. Bore is bright with excellent rifling. Rear sight is the long-range sight.  Original ramrod with trumpet shaped head. Excellent example of a rifled Model 1842 musket.

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