Springfield 1842

[kyle_kalasnik]

I recently “acquired” this 1842 Springfield Rifled Musket in lieu of cash for a plumbing job.

Any opinions comments, concerns?

I really like it. The bore is in excellent condition. What do you all figure is the value. I figured when I took the job I would owe the lady a few bucks to makeup the difference.

Thank you for your help.

Respectfully,
Kyle Kalasnik

 

[Zonie]

Interesting gun you have there.

The 1842 Springfield was the first widely issued percussion gun produced for the military. It was also the last smoothbore musket made for the military.
There were approx 275,000 total made, 172,000 at Springfield Armory. The others were made at Harpers Ferry.
It was originally a .69 caliber smoothbore with just a front sight. From 1866 thru 1859 about 14,180 were modified to add rifling to the bore. Of these, about 10,000 were equipped with the long range rear sight your gun seems to have.

In 2007, Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms lists the value of the rifled 1842 Springfield at $1,000 in "Good" condition and $3,250 in Fine condition.
I would consider your gun to be in the "good" range if not slightly better. With inflation, that would make the value of your gun about $1400 - $1800.
Of course, the true value is what you can actually sell it for so if a buyer can't be found that will pay that much, the gun would be worth less.

I forgot to mention, the 1842 Springfield was also widely used in the Mexican/American war although the date on yours indicates it was made after that conflict was over. Your gun was very likely used in the War Between the States.

I'm moving this thread to the Firearms Identification section. That is where we talk about the values and history of real antique muzzleloaders.

 

[kyle_kalasnik]

Why didn’t I put it there in the first place. My apologies.

 

[kyle_kalasnik]

Interesting gun you have there.

The 1842 Springfield was the first widely issued percussion gun produced for the military. It was also the last smoothbore musket made for the military.
There were approx 275,000 total made, 172,000 at Springfield Armory. The others were made at Harpers Ferry.
It was originally a .69 caliber smoothbore with just a front sight. From 1866 thru 1859 about 14,180 were modified to add rifling to the bore. Of these, about 10,000 were equipped with the long range rear sight your gun seems to have.

In 2007, Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms lists the value of the rifled 1842 Springfield at $1,000 in "Good" condition and $3,250 in Fine condition.
I would consider your gun to be in the "good" range if not slightly better. With inflation, that would make the value of your gun about $1400 - $1800.
Of course, the true value is what you can actually sell it for so if a buyer can't be found that will pay that much, the gun would be worth less.

I forgot to mention, the 1842 Springfield was also widely used in the Mexican/American war although the date on yours indicates it was made after that conflict was over. Your gun was very likely used in the War Between the States.

I'm moving this thread to the Firearms Identification section. That is where we talk about the values and history of real antique muzzleloaders.

Appreciate your help. Thank you.

 

[kyle_kalasnik]

Thank you, I’m very pleased with it.

 

[Notchy Bob]

Holy smoke! That's a nice rifle! It looks complete, and with an "excellent bore" too!

Zonie knows more about this than I do, and I'll agree that the true value is whatever a buyer is willing to pay. However, the Italian reproductions are going for a thousand dollars now, give or take a few bucks. Your rifle is the real thing, in shootable condition.

You are a good man, and you want to know the gun's value so you can make sure the lady who traded it to you gets a square deal. Good for you, brother. That's the right thing to do. However, if it were me, once both parties are satisfied with the deal and all the dust has settled, I would keep it. A rifle like that, in that condition, would be very hard to replace at any price if it slips away from you.

Notchy Bob

 

[kyle_kalasnik]

Holy smoke! That's a nice rifle! It looks complete, and with an "excellent bore" too!

Zonie knows more about this than I do, and I'll agree that the true value is whatever a buyer is willing to pay. However, the Italian reproductions are going for a thousand dollars now, give or take a few bucks. Your rifle is the real thing, in shootable condition.

You are a good man, and you want to know the gun's value so you can make sure the lady who traded it to you gets a square deal. Good for you, brother. That's the right thing to do. However, if it were me, once both parties are satisfied with the deal and all the dust has settled, I would keep it. A rifle like that, in that condition, would be very hard to replace at any price if it slips away from you.

Notchy Bob

Thank you for the kind words. I figured I’ll give her $500 just to put my mind at ease.

Yeah I’m really in love with this one.

 

[Zonie]

I once owned a 1842 Springfield Musket that was in slightly worse shape than the one in this thread.
In a moment of brain fade, I sold it to someone at a gun show and have regretted doing so many times.

I've found that just looking at and holding one of the original guns can give me great pleasure. Things like, "Who was the first soldier to fire you?", "Where were you carried and used?", "Did you see any battles and if you did, where were they?" keep going thru my mind.

This is true with several other of the original guns I own but it was strongest with the 1842. As I mentioned, the 1842 Springfield was used in the war with Mexico (1846-1848), and the War Between the States. Also, during this time, several run-in's with the Indian tribes.
Then, there is the peaceful times following the wars.
Many of the out of date military guns were sold to private citizens who used them for hunting and self protection on trips to California, Washington and Oregon New Mexico-Arizona, Utah and Nevada areas and who knows what else?

If these old guns could only talk and tell us about their past.

 

[kyle_kalasnik]

I once owned a 1842 Springfield Musket that was in slightly worse shape than the one in this thread.
In a moment of brain fade, I sold it to someone at a gun show and have regretted doing so many times.

I've found that just looking at and holding one of the original guns can give me great pleasure. Things like, "Who was the first soldier to fire you?", "Where were you carried and used?", "Did you see any battles and if you did, where were they?" keep going thru my mind.

This is true with several other of the original guns I own but it was strongest with the 1842. As I mentioned, the 1842 Springfield was used in the war with Mexico (1846-1848), and the War Between the States. Also, during this time, several run-in's with the Indian tribes.
Then, there is the peaceful times following the wars.
Many of the out of date military guns were sold to private citizens who used them for hunting and self protection on trips to California, Washington and Oregon New Mexico-Arizona, Utah and Nevada areas and who knows what else?

If these old guns could only talk and tell us about their past.

Yes Sir I agree. I have pondered that holding my P53 Enfield (lockplate dated 1862, with no VR under the crown). You are holding a piece of American History!

 

[rickystl]

Congrats. Nice find. I would keep her.

Rick

 

[kyle_kalasnik]

Congrats. Nice find. I would keep her.

Rick

Thank you, I plan on it.

 

[TFoley]

Yes Sir I agree. I have pondered that holding my P53 Enfield (lockplate dated 1862, with no VR under the crown). You are holding a piece of American History!

I have at least two rifles/carbines that I know saw action - one against the Australians, British and maybe even Canadians, and one, for sure, against Americans. All are unmentionables, though.

 

[kyle_kalasnik]

I have at least two rifles/carbines that I know saw action - one against the Australians, British and maybe even Canadians, and one, for sure, against Americans. All are unmentionables, though.

That’s cool. I have no definitive proof that my P53 Enfield and Springfield 1842 saw action during the Civil War, but I would guess it is likely. None of my unmentionables have seen any war service, oh well, that I prefer my muzzleloaders.

 

[TFoley]

I could add that I actually know the NAMES of those who used these two guns in action, since the later gentleman became, briefly, a POW before fading into oblivion. I often wonder what became of him after the war's end...

 

[LongWalker]

I'm aware of one in similar condition being offered at $1,550, so Zonie's estimate sounds about right.

 

[Muley Gil]

You need to join the North-South Skirmish Association and live fire your 1842.

 

[kyle_kalasnik]

You need to join the North-South Skirmish Association and live fire your 1842.

I would if I had the time, and I have thought about finding a unit and trying to join.

I shot it last weekend, WOW! Like shooting an anvil.

 

[Artificer]

Congratulations, Kyle

It looks like whoever cleaned it up after rusting, put a new cone (nipple) in it by the dark blue/black color peeking out in one of your pics. That's a good thing.

Also, you may be interested that many Northern Troops were still armed with M1842's as late as 1-3 July, 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg. This included many Pennsylvania Units, btw.

Gus

 

[kyle_kalasnik]

Congratulations, Kyle

It looks like whoever cleaned it up after rusting, put a new cone (nipple) in it by the dark blue/black color peeking out in one of your pics. That's a good thing.

Also, you may be interested that many Northern Troops were still armed with M1842's as late as 1-3 July, 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg. This included many Pennsylvania Units, btw.

Gus

Thank you. I really like it.

I would be interested in finding out what PA regiments were still carrying them.

 

[Calum]

'evening,

If I remember correctly, the 11th PVI was still carrying '42s as late as Gettysburg. Their Col was a fan of buck & ball.

Beautiful rifle! Last fall, I accidentally picked up an original 1816 Springfield (converted to caplock) thinking it was a '42. I didn't have my glasses on and missed some of the fine print, like the tag idenifying it as a '16. I've not live fired it yet, but I've put blanks through it. Very reliable. Enjoy your find!

Mike