european musket in the civil war?

I was at a exhibit tonight at my local museum it was exhibits from the Tennessee state museum on a 3 month stay. I saw a musket there it looked like a 1842 springfield but the tag said it was european musket I looked at it for awhile and it was a lot shorter then a 1842 springfield. it don't look like a belgium musket I am sure what it is. I just wish I could have seen the lock on it but it was laying on the lock side. It kind of looked like it had a cone in barrel conversion but not sure next time I go I will take a picture of it thanks

The 21st Illinois(Grant's first regiment) were initially armed with Belgian muskets.

Northern arms dealers, Herman Boker and others, imported tens of thousands of muskets, rifled muskets, and rifle muskets to fill contracts for the Federal government and the states. The European muskets were usually not well received by the soldiers simply because they were not new Springfields or Enfields.
Tom

It sounds like it might be an Austrian M1842 "Engineer's Musketoon".

I am in accord with Johan Steele.

Jobe

The only other thing I saw that was different on it is that it had the octagon to round barrel. I looked at for any marking and I didn't see anything thanks

Octagonal to round wouldn't be an Austrian M 1842. A photo is needed to be sure.

Octagon to round and very short? Sounds like a Jaeger.

I used to work in a museum and can tell you "Curator Stories" that would make your hair curl.Some Curators are very good and knowledgeable and others are incompetent boobs.

Anyway, back at the Tennessee State Museum, there should be an "inventory card" on that musket that will fully describe it, how it was acquired by the museum, etc. Check with the Curator of the Tennessee State Museum and he/she should be able to provide you with the information you seek [IF you are lucky.]