1842 Musket

[gary]

I have in my possession a 1842 Musket made at Harper's Ferry (1844). It belongs to Francisco's Fort Museum in La Veta, CO. The barrel was shortened down to 32" and distance from the front band to the center band is so short that the retaining spring could not be used. Instead, the front band is secured by a nail.

Broken at the wrist/tang, it was mended with seven nails. Another three nails were placed around the tail of the lockplate to keep that in place. Additionally, some well meaning but ignorant individual painted all the metal brown color.

My question concerns the stamping on the stock. There is a large capital "M" stamped on both sides of the stock near the buttplate. Anybody know what that "M" signifies? Thanks.

 

[Craig L Barry]

There is no way of knowing. Whatever meaning the "M" stamped in the stock might have had, it is not a government mark from either before or during the US Civil War-era. If the "M" was stamped on the lockplate, it would mean that the arm was a pattern for the Armory (HF or Springfield) to use for purposes of testing it as a new model and if approved, potentially copying it. In other words, a "pattern arm."