Description

This is an excellent example of an untouched, attic condition Harpers Ferry Model 1842 musket. All metal is an even, deep brown patina. There is no pitting or mottled metal. The lock is crisp. The barrel date of 1853 is visible, well struck and has no real wear. The screws on this gun are perfect. The nipple is fine. The lockplate is marked Harpers Ferry with the date, eagle and “US”. The “US” and lockplate date are lightly struck. The  “US” and “18” portion of the date are very visible. The “53” is a bit hard to discern. I am sure that this is a result of a worn or improperly held die when the plate was struck as the overall lockplate (or gun) does not show the type of wear necessary to have worn the lettering. The barrel bands and ramrod are original and tight. The metal underneath the bands is the original bright finish. The stock is excellent with crisp edges and only minimal scratches and dings.  The stock bevel around the lockplate remains sharp. Most of the stock is dark and untouched. The wrist and an area of the forearm are slightly lighter from where the piece was carried. I love to find this on an antique firearm as it is a real sign that the stock was not touched since the piece was used in the field. The “JSA” cartouche opposite the lock is crisp. The bore is clean and unpitted.

If you are looking for an excellent, untouched example of a Harpers Ferry 1842 you will have a hard time finding a nicer one than this. This gun is just like you want to find it. Used but not abused. Stored properly after the war and left alone to age and patina beautifully. I have owned this musket since 1993 and it is one of the nicest 42’s I have seen.