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Springfield Musket

sosftim
IMG_0029.jpg

I finally figured out how to get a photo up. This is the 1863 Type 1(I think) serial 15723. Been in my family forever, and I wonder what it's worth.
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10 comments

Date Votes
  • sosftim
    I would like to know if anyone can give me some info on this musket.
    I know almost nothing about it other than what the pictures show and that it is a smoothbore.
    Any info on model, opinions on condition, potential value would be appreciated.

    http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/yungnold/album?.dir=/d89f
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  • rufe-snow
    It almost appears with the sight mounted on the front band and the absence of a bayonet lug to be a "Model 1847 U.S. Artillery Musketoon"? BUT it should have a second band with sling swivel, located between the lock plate and the front band. It's not apparent from your pictures, that there is a second band?

    luger_4.jpg
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  • sosftim
    Thanks for the reply.
    It looks like there were originally 3 bands. 2 very close together near the muzzle and the other about 1/3 of the way up the barrel from the hammer. I'll try to get a full length photo taht shows what I am talking about.
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  • sosftim
    I added some full-length photos to the collection. That may make more sense than the segment shots.

    http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/yungnold/album?.dir=/d89f
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by sosftim
    I added some full-length photos to the collection. That may make more sense than the segment shots.

    http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/yungnold/album?.dir=/d89f


    With the ( 3 ) bands it appears to be a "Model 1842 Percussion Musket" ( 42 inch barrel ), BUT it should have a bayonet lug on the bottom of barrel at the muzzle?

    What are the markings on the breech of the barrel?, What caliber is the barrel?, How long is the barrel?

    luger_4.jpg
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  • sosftim
    Don't see a bayonet lug at the breech.
    I don't have proper equipment to really make a call on the caliber but if I had to say I would call it .70 from tape-measure info.
    The only markings at the breech are "V" over "P"
    The barrel length is right at 33 7/8". But I'm not sure exactly how to measure barrel length on this. I measured from the tip of the muzzle all the way back to where the metal meets the wood at the breech...???
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  • sosftim
    Sorry, meant to say no bayonet lug near the muzzle....
    mea culpa
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by sosftim
    Don't see a bayonet lug at the breech.
    I don't have proper equipment to really make a call on the caliber but if I had to say I would call it .70 from tape-measure info.
    The only markings at the breech are "V" over "P"
    The barrel length is right at 33 7/8". But I'm not sure exactly how to measure barrel length on this. I measured from the tip of the muzzle all the way back to where the metal meets the wood at the breech...???


    The caliber appears to be correct, as the 1842 Muskets were .69 caliber. The barrel length ( 33" ) and lack of "eaglehead" proof at breach appear suspect.

    Don't believe it's a original U S Military issue musket. My WAG that it was assembled after the Civil War from surplus parts, for commercial sale.

    luger_4.jpg
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  • sosftim
    OK, fair enough.

    After taking the measurements and comparing against the standard measurements I thought it may have been a cut-down barrel. That might explain the odd length, lack of bayonet lug and the missing band.
    By the way, (a really dumb question coming)can you give me a link to a pic of the "Eaglehead Proof Mark" that should appear at the breech? I don't know really what I'm looking for.... and there a lot of incidental age marks on the metal.

    Thanks for all the info!
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by sosftim
    OK, fair enough.

    After taking the measurements and comparing against the standard measurements I thought it may have been a cut-down barrel. That might explain the odd length, lack of bayonet lug and the missing band.
    By the way, (a really dumb question coming)can you give me a link to a pic of the "Eaglehead Proof Mark" that should appear at the breech? I don't know really what I'm looking for.... and there a lot of incidental age marks on the metal.

    Thanks for all the info!




    This is as close as I could get, with a cursory search of the net. A similar "Eagle Head Proof" was still in use as late as World War I at Springfield Arsenal.


    http://usgi1911.tripod.com/Inspectors.jpg

    luger_4.jpg
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