U.S. Model 1842 Springfield Percussion Musket with Civil War Label (AL5292)

The overall length is approximately 57.5". The 42" round 69 caliber barrel has a fair bore. The barrel has a brown patina with moderate firing pitting around the bolster. There is an open dovetail for a rear sight. No inspection, proof marks, or date are visible on the chamber or tang. The lock an hammer are a gray/brown with areas of roughness on the lock. The lock has the eagle over US at the center and SPRING/FIELD/1853 at the tail. The bands are smooth brown. The triggerguard is gray/brown. The butt plate is brown with pitted areas and US on the tang. The stock is fair. It has a replacement forend starting at the rear band. The band springs are absent. There is an approx. 5/8" by 2.75" area cut out forward of the triggerguard. It is not very deep and the reason for this is unknown. "GA" is carved into the right forend approximately 3.5" forward of the lock. There appear to be faint initials on the left side of the butt. An old label taped to the right butt reads "1853 Springfield/69 Cal. used by Frank Sims of the/1st. Ohio, and then by George Mason/of the CSA". This merits further research. This gun may have an interesting history! The stock repair makes this a reasonably priced musket - even with its potential history.