Model 1842 Musket - Help!

[VPNAVY]

Well, just picked up a neat musket (always wanted one). I was told it was used by a Minnesota soldier in the Civil War. It was Belgium made (sent to Switzerland) and converted (1842) for use during the Civil War...anyway - just going through the first phase of ID'ng the markings and need a little help.

Now, I did find a "A Swiss Model 1842 Percussion Infantry Musket" that had the "Crown over BF" and "V inside of a Circle" markings AND M6328M on its butt while my new puppy has M5xxxM on the butt. That rifle was sold at auction in 2006. I also found another page showing a Swiss - and all looked exactly like mine (I compared their pictures with my puppy). While I have a different number (8179 - vs 895) most proofs are in the same (area) but I have a few more as well.

I uploaded a few pictures to help out.

1. Their are Belgian Gun Maker markings (Crown over BF) all over the rifle...
2. Their are the standard Belgian (E over LG star) Proof House Markings...
3. Their are a few "V inside of a Circle" - other's asking about the same proof without answer - no clue...
4. Haven't a clue what the "CGP" - might be the previous owner's initials - no clue...
5. Haven't a clue what the "1091" marking is (maybe a serial number?) - no clue...
6. Haven't a clue on the "shield" markings - no clue...
7. Haven't a clue on the "895" stamped on both the metal and wood...
8. Upside down "chevrons" - no clue...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

UPDATE: I just loaded up a much page with much better pictures, etc. on: Research: Model 1842 Percussion Infantry Musket

 

[Texas Star]

Wasn't there a US Musket, M-1842? I doubt this is like it. As careless as some here are, that's going to confuse those who don't read the entire post carefully.

The initials in a cartouche are probably those of the military inspector. That's usually the case with US arms.

I'm not terribly familiar with US M-1842 muskets, but this looks generally much like one. Photographing it by an anchor is misleading, unless you surmise that it saw naval use. I think this anchor is just a remnant of your own naval service?

Do you see US or an American eagle emblem on the lock?

Both sides in the Civil War bought foreign weapons. But I'm guessing that those for the Union got stamps to indicate govt. property. The most common foreign rifle was the Enfield .577. It was at least as good as the US Springfield M-1861 and 1863. Remington also made some M-1841 (?) rifle muskets that were widely used, especially by Zoave units. But I think they had brass patch boxes.

 

[VPNAVY]

Wasn't there a US Musket, M-1842? I doubt this is like it. As careless as some here are, that's going to confuse those who don't read the entire post carefully.

Yes - but this one isn't a US made musket. It doesn't have any US proof marks on it. I didn't specify the maker of the musket because I am trying to figure out if it is Belgium or Swiss - that was why I left a question mark at the end of the title. Sorry for the confusion...

Photographing it by an anchor is misleading, unless you surmise that it saw naval use.

The anchor is just some wall stuff (we are down in Cape Canaveral). I just leaned the puppy against the wall to get a complete picture.

Do you see US or an American eagle emblem on the lock?

Negative - thanks for the information Texas Star.

 

[VPNAVY]

If anyone has a bayonet that would fit on Research: Model 1842 Percussion Infantry Musket I would be very interested.

 

[Muley Gil]

You need to post your pictures here:

Civil War Small Arms

The members of the North-South Skirmish Association are experts on Civil War era firearms, both US and foriegn made.

Texas Star, the Remington made 1841s were the 33" barreled rifles known as the Mississippi. They were also made by Whitney and at the Federal Armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia. These were used on both sides in both calibers, the original .54 and those that had been rebored to .58.

 

[VPNAVY]

You need to post your pictures here: Civil War Small Arms

Thanks! I just started a thread on the forum.

 

[Muley Gil]

The N-SSA allows the use of any weapon that was purchased by either government, so long as it was at least 100 of them. They don't even have to be issued, so long as they were in inventory. The so-called Zouave rifle (a Remington copy of the Mississippi rifle) is an example.

Surprisingly enough, it appears the CS gov't bought more Enfield pattern arms than did the North. Their purchasing agents got there first! The North bought tons of the older European smoothbore. The CS bought some as well.

I read your post on the N-SSA board. If you will, please post the source over there of the info you found on your Swiss musket. Data like that can help those that find an musket and want to shoot it in competition.

 

[VPNAVY]

The N-SSA allows the use of any weapon that was purchased by either government...I read your post on the N-SSA board. If you will, please post the source...

Thanks for the information Muley Gil - A number of boards disapprove of leaving links to other sites so I have started to shy away from that. However - if you look at my last posting on N-SSA - I have included a "signature" - that provides a direct link to my Musket Research Page that contains all my references, etc. Let me know what you think.

Thanks!