Springfield model 1842

Joined
May 23, 2015
Location
Georgia
I ran across a Springfield model 1842 in an antique store ( the date was either 1842 or 43) but it had brass furniture which I thought was not put on Springfields. Does this mean it is fake or was this sometimes done? Also had the name A. Greere carved into the stock. Thanks
 
A 1842 or 1843 dated Springfield lock would belong to a M1835/40 musket, not a M1842. The M1842 was not produced until 1844. The M1835/40 and M1842 are very similar with the only major differences being that the 1842 was designed as a percussion arm, while the 1835/40 were originally produced as flintlock arms.
If it was a M1835/40 lock, supposing it wasn't a flintlock, the most visible difference is the convex shape of the rear of the lock, and the distinct point at the tail of the lock. The M1842 has a flat beveled edge lock with a gently rounded tail akin to the M1841 rifle lock.
The M1835/40 was not produced with brass hardware. The National Armory pattern M1842 muskets (Springfield, Harpers Ferry, Asa Waters, and Benjamin Flagg) were not produced with brass components either. However, Flagg and Glaze South Carolina contract M1842 muskets (also called Palmetto M1842s) were manufactured with brass barrel bands (3), trigger guards, buttplates and sideplates. These muskets are known to be dated 1852 and 1853.
Other possible M1842esq arms that might fit the bill would be the M1841 cadet musket (a smaller version of the M1842), which was produced with iron furniture, the M1847 Cavalry musketoon (with brass hardware) and M1847 Sappers and M1847 Artillery musketoons (both with iron hardware), and the M1851 Cadet Musket (with iron hardware). Production for the Artillery musketoons was 1848 to 1850 and 1852 to 1855, Cavalry musketoons 1847 to 1852 and 1853 and 1854, Sappers musketoons 1847,48 and 1855,56.
All musketoons are 2 band weapons, while the muskets mentioned have 3 barrel bands. If you provide a picture I'm sure that someone can give you a positive ID, but if the lock date you provided is correct, then the weapon is likely a cobbled together parts job.

Cheers,
Garrett
 
A 1842 or 1843 dated Springfield lock would belong to a M1835/40 musket, not a M1842. The M1842 was not produced until 1844. The M1835/40 and M1842 are very similar with the only major differences being that the 1842 was designed as a percussion arm, while the 1835/40 were originally produced as flintlock arms.
If it was a M1835/40 lock, supposing it wasn't a flintlock, the most visible difference is the convex shape of the rear of the lock, and the distinct point at the tail of the lock. The M1842 has a flat beveled edge lock with a gently rounded tail akin to the M1841 rifle lock.
The M1835/40 was not produced with brass hardware. The National Armory pattern M1842 muskets (Springfield, Harpers Ferry, Asa Waters, and Benjamin Flagg) were not produced with brass components either. However, Flagg and Glaze South Carolina contract M1842 muskets (also called Palmetto M1842s) were manufactured with brass barrel bands (3), trigger guards, buttplates and sideplates. These muskets are known to be dated 1852 and 1853.
Other possible M1842esq arms that might fit the bill would be the M1841 cadet musket (a smaller version of the M1842), which was produced with iron furniture, the M1847 Cavalry musketoon (with brass hardware) and M1847 Sappers and M1847 Artillery musketoons (both with iron hardware), and the M1851 Cadet Musket (with iron hardware). Production for the Artillery musketoons was 1848 to 1850 and 1852 to 1855, Cavalry musketoons 1847 to 1852 and 1853 and 1854, Sappers musketoons 1847,48 and 1855,56.
All musketoons are 2 band weapons, while the muskets mentioned have 3 barrel bands. If you provide a picture I'm sure that someone can give you a positive ID, but if the lock date you provided is correct, then the weapon is likely a cobbled together parts job.

Cheers,
Garrett

Thanks for the info! I could be wrong on that date but it was 1840's. Percussion cap, with 3 barrel bands. Unfortunately I don't have a picture.
 
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