1842 Springfield Musket Caliber: .69 Barrel length: 42" This is a percussion musket that fires with a cap made of brass, which is filled, with fulminated mercury inside. A cap is placed on the cone then hammer is pulled back. Next, the trigger is pulled and the hammer strikes the cap cause a small explosion to ignite the powder. This weapon is an 1816 Springfield musket with the addition of a percussion lock. The percussion lock was the next improvement in the ignition system after the flintlock. This became the second weapon the military added with this type of improved ignition system. The last U. S. musket to be made a smoothbore, these were used during the Mexican War and saw use by Union and Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.
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Last updated: April 10, 2015