1842 Springfield

[wayne]

I just bought an 1842 Springfield .69 caliber musket. The lockplate and barrel are marked 1845 and the barrel is marked V P/eagle head. The stock is in great condition and has what looks like 3 cartouches on the flat opposit the lock, hard to tell what they are as the stock is covered in varnish.

The thumb piece is broken off the top of the hammer and the hammer screw is missing the head.
The middle band with the sling swivel looks like it may be a replacement or has been polished.

Anyone know where I can get a replacement hammer and screw, preferably original, and a replacement ramrod?

I know jack about these old muskets. Hope I didn't get burned too badly. I paid $325.00 for the musket, hope I didn't get burned too badly. Sorry, no pictures.

[Dan Shapiro]

There's a 1842 hammer on Gunbroker right now. Other than that, it's just a matter of "Googleing" every couple days to see what's out on the net. Check Ebay and Gunbroker every couple of days.

Took me six months to find a rear sight for a Parris-Dunn drill rifle that I purchased for my grandson.

Ooops, forgot the link:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=273653460

[JBinIll]

http://www.lodgewood.com/1842%20Springfield.htm


http://www.ssfirearms.com/products.asp?cat=82

[wayne]

Thanks guys! Got a lead on several hammers with varying finishes, so should be ok.

[Dan Shapiro]

My 1842. (Repro sling). Most expensive purchase I've made ($1400) over the years. When purchased the bore was filled with rust. Only other problem was that the ramrod screw end is partially broken off in it's seat, so the rod won't sit flush with the muzzle.

[wayne]

Dan, mine looks just like yours except for the missing ramrod and broken hammer. Do you recall any of the markings on the backside of your lockplate? What about cartouches on the left side opposite the hammer?

Mine also has '43' on top of the buttplate which I assume references to the 43rd New York Volunteers during the Civil War.

Many thanks for any info you can give.

[Dan Shapiro]

Lockplate is stamped 1851. There is a "JAS" acceptance stamp on the left side - the musket was made at Harpers Ferry. According to the staff at the Harpers Ferry Historical Society "JAS" was John A. Scheffer. Don't recall the markings on the inside of the lock other than they were obviously makers marks.

[Gus Fisher]

Wayne,

I am not sure what you know or don't know about replacing the hammer. Do you know that you have to take the lock apart completely and get the hammer off the tumbler with a large pin punch that will "just" fit into the threaded hole for the hammer screw, but not so big as to mess up the threads? IOW, you use the largest punch that will freely enter the hole. When it is down to the lockplate, tumbler and hammer, you support the lockplate with a couple of pieces of wood or even lead - then drive the tumbler off the hammer and plate down into the open space between the wood. If this is not clear, please ask and will try to help you more.

[Doug Rammel]

Gus

You could use this. I have a set and they are very handy.

http://www.lr-rpl.com/index.php?opti...eous&Itemid=67

[Dan Shapiro]

Hey Gus!
Any way to remove the ramrod seat in order to get that broken piece of threaded rod out so that the rest of the rod can be seated properly.