Guns
Civil War Use 1840 Percussion French Musket w/Bayonet
1840-Dated, Civil War Period Use Military Model 1840 Percussion French Musket with Bayonet, Fine.
This Civil War Period Use Imported Military Model 1840 Percussion French Musket measures about 58" long and is with its Bayonet. It has a 42.75", .70-.71 caliber rifled steel barrel that exhibits some deep vise marks (most likely made when the breech bolster was being fitted), with inspector's marks stamped on the left and right side of the breech and marked "Mle 1840" on the top of the tang. The back-action percussion lock is marked "Mre Rle de St. ETIENNE". All parts have inspectors marks. The steel ram rod is a period replacement. The stock is solid with a 3" stress crack just in front of the lock plate and on the opposite side in front of the side plate, light scratches and dings from years of service. These muskets were originally manufactured with a .69 caliber smooth-bore barrel and then later rifled. This musket is in good mechanical working order.
The French Model 1840 is almost identical to the model 1842. During the onset of the American Civil War (1860-1865), many foreign weapons of all kinds were imported by both the Union and the Confederacy. The U.S. Government (Union) purchased 25,000 of these French muskets and a great number were imported by HERMAN BOKER & COMPANY OF NEW YORK (a large supplier of foreign arms).
The French Model 1842 was rated by the U.S. Ordnance Department as third-class-a serviceable but substandard arm. It is said that most of these muskets were issued to Militia units.

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