Springfield Model 1842

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The original U.S. Springfield Model 1842 (a.k.a. U.S. Model 1842 Percussion Musket, M1842 Musket) holds an odd but interesting niche in history. It was the last smoothbore musket, while simultaneously being the first fully parts interchangeable (machine-made) and the first with a regulation percussion lock. It was made, not in “great numbers” as is commonly stated, but rather in fairly modest numbers, at least compared to the other US Springfield models. Total production of both the Springfield and Harpers Ferry Armories was only 272,565 over the course of 12 years. The Springfield Armory by itself made nearly that number of US 1861 rifle-muskets in eighteen months. This total number of 1842s does not even make it the most common smoothbore musket in the Civil War, as it was estimated that over 700,000 US model 1816/22 muskets (both flintlock and converted to percussion) saw action early in the conflict.

It is true that additional M-1842 muskets were made by private contractors. However, these were few in number. Some were made by A.H. Waters and B. Flagg & Co, both of Millbury, Massachusetts, and as you may note, these were distinguished by having brass furniture instead of iron. A.H. Waters went out of business due to a dearth of contracts in New England, and Flagg entered into a partnership with William Glaze of South Carolina. They relocated the machinery to the Palmetto Armory in Columbia, South Carolina. Instead of “V” over “P” over the eagle’s head, these guns were usually stamped “P” over “V” over the palmetto tree. Most of the output of the Palmetto Armory went to the state militia of South Carolina. There were only 6,020 1842 type muskets produced on that contract and none were made there after 1853.

The gun weighed 10 pounds and was 57 1/2 inches long and fired a .69-caliber round ball, or a .69-caliber ball with three buckshot; a cartridge known as 'buck and ball'.