The most expensive gun I
own is this mint condition, unfired U.S. Model 1842 percussion musket. In 1975, I paid $625 cash ($2745 in today's dollars) and also traded an excellent condition Mauser C-96 broomhandle pistol in the deal. I have the history on the gun. It was produced at Springfield Armory in 1848, too late for use in the Mexican War. It went into war reserve storage at Springfield during the Civil War, as it was a smoothbore. Some years after the Civil War it went to a museum in Virginia, where it was kept for over 50 years. It was then sold to a collector, who sold it to another collector, who sold it to me. The metal is still untouched Armory bright. The wood still has those tiny raised segments that indicate it has never been refinished. The cartouche is as fresh as when it was applied. Again, unfired since it left Springfield 166 years ago. I've had it appraised at $6,000 or more if it would be put up on auction. I blew a wad on it, but it's one of those guns where less than 1% of them have survived in this condition.
John
