This large bulky weapon meas. approx. 55.00 inches overall and has a huge .70 bore.

Barrel is octagon at the breech but round along the rest of its length. Barrel surface is turning a plumb brown and is held to the stock by three iron pins. Front sight is a long thin blade mortised into a square base. The rear sight is notched with a flip-up leaf on each side. The front leaf flips up and gives a higher notch for distance. The rear leaf has two appture, one above the other for greater distance. Nipple with raised fence around the bolster is part of the breech plug that has been screwed into the barrel. Breech is marked “3549” and closer to the hammer with a crown and the number “49.” Bore is bright with good rifling and light dirt. Bayonet lug is present below the muzzle.

Lockplate appears to have been casehardened and is turning dark. The front of the lockplate has a beveled edge that is squared while the rear is pointed and flush. Forward of the large hammer is “CRAUSE IN HERZBERG.” A website sponsored by the Springfield Museum sheds some light on the weapons manufacturer:

“Carl Phillip Crause (who signed his products only with his last name) operated a gun manufactory in Herzberg on the Harz in the northwestern German kingdom of Hannover from the close of the Napoleonic Wars until of 1857. The main production of his factory was devoted to military arms for Hanover and the surrounding principalities. Weapons of his manufacture included the Brunswick M1835 and M1848 rifles, the Hanoverian M1850 and M1854 rifle-muskets and Jager rifles, and the M1840 and M1849 rifle-muskets of the Hanseatic League (a coalition of the north German states of Oldenberg, Hamburg, Bremen, and Lubeck). The latter two arms were subsequently altered to accept the elongated projectiles popular during the 1850s, and a few thousand evidently imported into the United States and saw service during the American Civil War."

Action is tight and has full-cock. There is no half-cock.

Stock has all brass furniture and is free of cracks. Left side of butt has small cheek rest. There are some minor dings and dents consistent with age and use but overall the stock presents a wonderful appearance. Both sling swivels are present as is the original ramrod. Ramrod tubes are brass and all are present.

Many of the parts bear small stamping of the number “49” with the tang of the triggerguard repeating the number “3549” as found on the breech.

A very nice complete all original example of an import weapon. [AD]

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