Palmetto Armory Model 1842 Musket (AL5398)

This is a rarely seen Palmetto Armory Model 1842 percussion musket in overall fair to good condition. The overall length is approx. 58". The 42" round 69 caliber smooth bore barrel has a fair bore. The barrel has a brown patina with roughness at the muzzle and toward the rear third increasing in the bolster area. No marks are visible on the barrel or tang. The nipple is battered. The barrel has the bottom bayonet lug for the U.S. Model 1816 bayonet. As opposed to the normal Palmetto brass bands, the bands on this musket are iron. The lockplate, hammer, butt plate, trigger guard, and all other metal parts have surface roughness. The lockplate markings are visible. The Palmetto tree encircled by PALMETTO ARMORY S*C is there and some can be read. The COLUMBIA over S.C. 1852 is readable and the "2" in 1852 appears to be the correct Palmetto 2. The butt plate tang is stamped with a small US, indicating the use of surplus US parts. The stock is fair with cracks between the trigger guard and lock and forward of the trigger guard. The stock is also weathered and has PG carved on the left flat and on the right rear of the butt. It has an old chip of missing wood at the bottom rear of the lock and there is wood erosion next to the hammer. The ramrod and swivels are present. The lock functions correctly. Based on condition and wear, this gun has been together a long time and is most likely correct. Only 6,000 were made for South Carolina and many were used by the Confederates during the Civil War.