Model 1842 Musket?

[Panzerschwein]

Hey gang! Well the time has come in my life to buy a muzzle loading weapon, and I'm thinking that a Springfield 1842 .69 caliber smoothbore musket will fit the bill. I am looking at this one offered by Dixie Gun Works:

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=3482

It has some great reviews, and I am most enticed by the history of this weapon. I understand it was used in the Mexican American War, and of special interest to me, the American Civil War. I also know later on some of these were rifled, but I am leaning towards the above smoothbore model. However, as this will be my first smoothbore musket (I know, that's redundant!) I have some questions:

1. What types of loads were used with this weapon in the Civil War? I assume it took paper cartridges, any links on how to make them? If not, what was used to load the guns in battle? I recall that buck and ball was used as well?

2. What type of period (ACW era) accouterments would the soldier have when issued this musket? I'm interested in getting a correct cartridge box, or powder flask & ball pouches etc. etc.

3. Being a smoothbore weapon, I know it was inferior to the rifled muskets in the Civil War like the Springfield 1861 etc. etc., how/why were these muskets issued during that conflict? I assume it was because of a lack of arms earlier in the war? What is the maximum range at which the gun can reliably hit a man-sized target-- is this gun even accurate enough to target shoot or hunt deer with?

4. Finally, where can I find musket caps for sale (I hear RWS makes the best for shooting) and what is a good source for .69 caliber lead balls?

Thanks everyone, I know this is a lot of questions but being very new to this I am frankly overwhelmed and the preliminary research I've done has left said questions largely unanswered.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Track of the Wolf, Dixie and Log Cabin Shoppe all sell musket caps.

 

[Curator]

The 1842 musket was the primary infantry arm of the Mexican war, and many served in the War Between the States. The original load was the standard 110 grains of FFg and a .650 or .662 round ball that was made for the earlier flintlock muskets. These were wrapped in paper cartridges and after the powder was poured down the bore, the ball, still wrapped in the paper was rammed down the barrel. The paper took up the "windage" between the undersize ball and the bore.

During the Mexican war the powder charge was reduced to 80-90 grains as there was no need to "prime the pan" on the flintlock from the powder charge with the introduction of the percussion system. The 1842 was no more or less accurate then the earlier flintlock muskets but was considered slower to reload due to soldiers fumbling with the percussion caps.

Many experienced soldiers knew that a tight-fitting cloth patch would add significant accuracy and range to their issued ammunition. When carried into situations likely to require firing, many savvy soldiers would have loaded their first round with a patched ball. Subsequent reloads would be using the paper cartridges for speed and volley fire. The greater accuracy of their first volley was often the deciding factor in short military engagements but the speed of reloading for volley after volley carried the day against a determined foe.

The correct cartridge box for this gun was the shoulder-hung 1828 box that had the embossed leather flap but no metal insignia. A standard cap pouch would be on he waist belt. A 3-sided spike bayonet would accompany the musket as it would be nearly impossible to load after 8 to 10 shots without cleaning.

 

[AlexanderA]

This particular reproduction has a good reputation for authenticity.

Before these became available, I built my own using an original lock, bands, buttplate, etc., a barrel from Whitacre's Machine Shop, and a stock from Dunlap Woodcrafts. This ended up costing almost as much as a 100% original, but at least I don't have qualms shooting it.

 

[BCRider]

The way I understand it if loaded to military style use where loading times were important the smoothbore has a rather "barn like" potential for accuracy. But I've seen similar muskets loaded with well cast round ball seated in snug fitting patches that have given surprising accuracy levels. I've seen a good smoothbore shooter outshoot a lesser marksman with a rifled barrel over the course of 25 targets in my black powder matches. So you CAN find and shoot these surprisingly well with a bit of work to find out what ball size and patch thickness and charge weight it likes.

 

[EljaySL]

Should be a ton of fun. In terms of the accuracy, " is this gun even accurate enough to target shoot or hunt deer with?" - for target shoot do you mean off the bench? I wouldn't see the point other than load development. Usually you see people shooting these offhand at shorter distances and the lack of real sights is a much bigger deal than the lack of rifling.

re: deer hunting - I don't see why not as long as you're realistic about the distances involved. Just as a point of comparison I'm no expert and I can keep my shots on a 6" target at 20 yards with my Brown Bess (which has some disadvantages compared to a 1842, like whatever delay there is from the flintlock). I would think it would take a fair amount of practice to do much better than that but I'm sure it's possible. (With something modern I'd do more like 3").

 

[AlexanderA]

Regarding the accuracy of smoothbore muskets in general (not just the Model 1842), that has to be considered in the context of the infantry tactics of the time. These weapons, unlike rifled arms, were not designed for individual marksmanship. The idea was that an entire company of soldiers would be firing volleys, without particularly bothering to take a fine aim. (They didn't even have rear sights.) These weapons, firing "buck and ball" rounds, and being reloaded at a rate of three shots a minute, could lay down a devastating sheet of lead in front of the line. This could be the equivalent of a battery of artillery firing canister (when you take into account the reloading times).

 

[Mike OTDP]

Back to the OP...

The Model 1842 was a substitute standard for about the first two years of the Civil War. Neither side had enough rifle-muskets to arm their troops, and the Confederates had snapped up the production of every Enfield the British could make.

The usual military load was a round ball and three buckshot. Extremely effective at ranges under 40 yards. The round ball would be effective out to about 100 yards, but accuracy was not great since the balls were undersized to speed loading.

With practice and a properly fitted patch, you can expect about a 4-6 inch group at 50 yards. Lots of practice.

As to accoutrements, there are several good suppliers. C&D Jarnagin does outstanding leather goods. Most of my leathers are from them. Duvall Leatherworks also has a good reputation.

If you're serious, I'd highly recommend going over to the North-South Skirmish Association's BB and ask around.

 

[Panzerschwein]

^ Okay, sweet!

I'm having a TOUGH time between this rifle and a Pedersoli Silver Line 1861 Springfield rifled musket, but I know I want ONE of them!