Model 1842 Musket maybe!

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S&WOwner

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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.

UPDATE: Just 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" - no clue...
4. Haven't a clue what the "CGP" - no clue...
5. Haven't a clue what the "1091" markings 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 "shield" - no clue...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

UPDATE: I just loaded up a page with much better pictures, etc. on: Research: Model 1842 Percussion Infantry Musket
 
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Cool rifle! I can't help you with the various markings on your gun, but it seems to me that the Europeans love to stamp myriads of semi-meaningless marks on their guns. Just look at how many proof marks a typical blackpowder firearm gets even today. I suspect that most of those markings are various unit and/or rack numbers.

I like to see original Civil War arms like yours turn up, they are a tangible link with our past. I just acquired a 1861 Springfield rifle-musket posted in an earlier thread and feel very lucky to have it.
 
Thanks highpower for the kind words. I am just like you - the history on these are amazing! How about your link - sure would like to see you puppy.
 
S&W owner; If your rifle was imported during the War of Northern Aggression, it is very likely that it was used by Confederate forces. Great numbers of surplus and obsolete European rifles were imported to help arm the rebels. My '61 Springfield could have been on either side as Confederate forces captured large numbers of Yankee arms all throughout the war.

I tend to believe that mine stayed on the Union side as I got it out of an estate in Connecticut. Logic, or maybe wishful thinking, tells me that it probably came home with a discharged Union solder.

Or, just as easily, it was bought many years after the war from a dealer (Bannerman?), and was merely part of a collection rather than a family heirloom.
 
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