Unknown British Smooth Bore

[RBK]

Hello folks,
Me again with another unknown. For decades it was know as "that old dried out hulk of an antique".
Well, I finally took it apart and, here is what I found.
Lock is in very good shape inside. The mainspring had gone beyond the hardware. That is to say, mainspring was "sprung" beyond the bottom and not engaged. Carefully, I was able to "re-engage it" and when put back in, the trigger, lock work perfectly! Stamped inside the lockset is a crown with cursive letter underneath. Also, there is a stamp in the lockset square, with the letter H in capital.
Have photos and, don;'t know how to put them up. Please help! http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-1/931980/006a1a.jpg http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-1/931980/003a1a.jpg http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-1/931980/009a1.jpg http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-1/931980/004a1.jpg http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-1/931980/008a1.jpg http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-1/931980/011a.jpg http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-1/931980/002a.jpg

 

[rabjr]

I got ya RBK.

 

[RBK]

Thanks Swampy but, the images are posted above.
The images you posted are or earlier posting.
But, thank you!

I am a licensed engineer in the Great State of Tennessee and for the life of me, can not figure out this photo posting thing. I have tried all of it///// posting HTML, copy/paste, image link rah rah rah nothing seems to work.

 

[rabjr]

On top of the reply box is a set of icons, theres a "image" icon, click on it and paste the pic address in it and it will post on the forum like what I did for ya.

That actually looks like one of our U.S arms to me but someone will let you know for sure.

 

[Tumblernotch]

I'm certainly no expert in Continental arms, but this piece looks an awful lot like a Prussian musket rather than a British piece.

 

[RBK]

To add:
Overall length is 57"
Muzzle measures 0.725" dia
Stamped on brass butt plate is 1837
Stamped inside of lock is a crown with
some letters in cursive below it
Also stamped in lock is a capitol H inside of a square. Barrel is stamped 1842.
Note the unusual barrel bands. The front one has lost it's "retainer" and, has the front sight on it integral.
Stock is full of what the wife says are "worm-holes"

 

[RBK]

Thanks for the help Swampy!
What a cluster....sorry folks.

 

[JV Puleo]

Prussian... a "Potsdam Musket" to use the general term even though many weren't really made there. Thousands were imported early in the Civil War, partly to arm volunteers and also to keep them off the international market. They were withdrawn from service as better arms became available and were among the first sold off after the war to surplus dealers. They are not rare and are probably the most affordable real "Civil War Musket."

 

[TFoley]

Forgive me if I seem to be having a senior moment here, but I distinctly recall seeing a totally different piece with a set trigger, un-wormed stock and all that, in the first set of images.

We are looking at two entirely different arms.

tac

 

[RBK]

Tac, sorry about this whole mess. I am the one with the "senior moment". I could not correctly post photos, Swampy kindly tried to help me out and accidently got some errant photos near the top of the thread.
But, the gun I am inquiring about is the one with the worm holes.
All---thanks for your patience.
Moderator, if you decided to delete this thread, I can start over again. Sorry.

 

[RBK]

Ding ding ding...we have a winner and it is JV Puleo guessing a Pottsdam Prussian musket.
Well, it certainly looks like my gun but in its very early years! What sells me is the bands around the stock and barrel. Identical. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=232965843
Trust me, it is on Gunbroker.com

I need to retire or something equivalent
Tripping

what a freakin cluster...

Uncle

 

[TFoley]

Ding ding ding...we have a winner and it is JV Puleo guessing a Pottsdam Prussian musket.
Well, it certainly looks like my gun but in its very early years! What sells me is the bands around the stock and barrel. Identical. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=232965843
Trust me, it is on Gunbroker.com

I need to retire or something equivalent
Tripping

what a freakin cluster...

Uncle

Hey, no sweat! I posted a model steam-train-related post of great learnedness and magnificent detail on a Bristol-wear pottery forum last year. That raised some eyebrows, too.

tac

 

[JV Puleo]

I wasn't guessing

 

[Mike Brooks]

I wasn't guessing

:haha: :thumbsup: