×
Aircraft / Aviation Vehicles & Artillery Small Arms Warships & Submarines Military Ranks Military Pay Scale (2024) Special Forces

Springfield Model 1842


Muzzle-Loaded Musket / Rifle


United States | 1844



"The Springfield Model 1842 percussion musket evolved the Model 1816 line and became the last American smoothbore musket taken into service."

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Springfield Model 1842. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.
195 ft
59.4 m | 65.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range
3
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire
Physical
The physical qualities of the Springfield Model 1842. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.
1,475 mm
58.07 in
O/A Length
10.03 lb
4.55 kg
Weight
Flintlock System / Percussion Cap; Single-Shot; Muzzle-Loaded
Action
.69 Musket Ball
Caliber(s)
Single-Shot
Feed
Iron Front and Rear (Rifled Versions)
Sights
Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Springfield Model 1842 Muzzle-Loaded Musket / Rifle family line.
Model 1842 - Base Series Designation
Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 06/17/2021 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The battlefields of the American Civil War (1861-1865) became home to many different gun types - pistols, carbines, muskets and rifles. Old and new models were featured side-by-side in what became a clash of technologies and tactics. One of the muskets relied upon by both sides was the flintlock-based Model 1816 which originally emerged from the storied Springfield and Harpers Ferry armories. This line was progressively updated to become the Model 1840 (still in flintlock form) and, ultimately, the Model 1842.

Like the Model 1816 and Model 1840 before it, the Model 1842 arrived in .69 musket ball chambering and had three barrel bands along its length. The shoulder stock was integrated as part of the grip handle and forend. The action was arranged through metal components concentrated near the trigger unit - which was underslung in typical fashion. Sights were not included in the smoothbore's design (this arrived later when the gun was rifled). Construction involved a good deal of machining which was a first for a U.S. government-made firearm. Another first for the Model 1842 in U.S. service was its switch to the percussion cap action (from flintlock) which improved environmental reliability. The barrel was of particular thickness so as to be rifled at a later date. It was also the last government-issued musket in .69 chambering as the arrival of the spin-stabilized French Minie Ball changed everything.

The 10lb musket was 58 inches long with a 42 inch-long barrel length. Effective range was out to 75 yards and maximum range reached 200 yards - the smoothbore nature of the barrel made for a natural inaccuracy imparted to the outgoing bullet - which was subject to all kinds of factors once it left the confines of the barrel.

From the period of 1844 until 1855 about 275,000 Model 1842 muskets were manufactured and some of this total also came from private providers commissioned to help. The gun was in circulation during the time of the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) and firmly entrenched by the time of the Civil War in 1861 - even so, they were generally regarded as obsolete though a lack of better alternatives along both sides often placed these muskets into soldier's hands nonetheless. In time, the guns were finally rifled and had sights fitted to them to make for a more modern, and potent, weapon at range. The series eventually saw service from 1844 until the end of the war in 1865.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.
Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Springfield Model 1842. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Springfield Armory - USA
National flag of the Confederate States of America National flag of the United States

[ Confederate States; United States ]
Going Further...
The Springfield Model 1842 Muzzle-Loaded Musket / Rifle appears in the following collections:
HOME
SMALL ARMS INDEX
SPECIAL FORCES
ARMS BY COUNTRY
ARMS MANUFACTURERS
COMPARE ARMS
ARMS BY CONFLICT
ARMS BY TYPE
ARMS BY DECADE
AMERICAN CIVIL WAR ARMS
EARLY FIREARMS
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.


©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)