Bavarian Model 1842 Musket

The Bavarian Model 1842 (also referred to as the Bavarian M-1842 Rifled Musket) was a 19th-century Bavarian musket originally designed for the Bavarian Army.[1] The musket was exported for foreign service, and saw limited use during the American Civil War[2] and the Boshin War.

For the Springfield Model 1842 Musket, see Springfield Model 1842.

Bavarian Model 1842 Musket
TypeMusket
Place of originKingdom of Bavaria
Service history
Used byRoyal Bavarian Army, Union Army, Tokugawa Shogunate Forces
WarsAmerican Civil War, Boshin War
Production history
Produced1842–1858
Specifications
ActionPercussion lock
Feed systemMuzzle-loaded

History

The inception and spread of percussion cap capable weapons in the years following the Napoleonic Wars had a large impact on European firearm design.[3] Unlike earlier matchlock or flintlock ignition systems, percussion caps fed by a percussion lock greatly reduced the danger of weapon misfires.[4][5] This advantage led the state of Bavaria to launch a firearms modernization program that intended to provide the Bavarian Army with a musket capable of utilizing the percussion cap. This program, begun in 1839, resulted in what would become the Bavarian Model 1842 Musket (M-1842.)[2] The weapon was put into production at the Royal Bavarian Rifle Factory[6][7][8] in Amberg and adopted into Bavarian service. Following the invention of the Minié ball, the M-1842 was rifled with five groves to better accommodate the French ammunition. The Bavarian army retired the M-1842 after adopting a new rifle in 1858.[1][2]

Union Army service

The Union Army purchased a number surplus Bavarian M-1842 for usage during the American Civil War.[9] Of the Bavarian equipment offered to the United States for purchase, the M-1842 was evaluated as the only weapon of sufficient quality for Union usage. An unknown number of the weapons were sold to the Union, with sources referencing around 3000 muskets being sold as surplus by the US government in 1865 after the conclusion of the Civil War.[2][1]

Boshin War

The Bavarian M-1842 was imported along other smoothbore guns and rifles to Japan in the 1840s. The weapon was very popular in Japan during the Boshin War and was used by the Shogunate-aligned Aizu clan.[10]

References
  1. "Springfield Armory Museum – Collection Record". ww2.rediscov.com. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  2. "College Hill Arsenal :: Previously Sold Items :: Bavarian M-1842 Rifled Musket". www.collegehillarsenal.com. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  3. "Early Percussion Firearms". Spring Books. 25 October 2015.
  4. Fadala, Sam (17 November 2006). The Complete Blackpowder Handbook. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. pp. 159–161. ISBN 0-89689-390-1.
  5. opiumwarexhibition (22 November 2014). "Warfare technology in the Opium War". The Opium War, 1839–1842. Retrieved 2017-05-30.
  6. de:Königlich Bayerische Gewehrfabrik
  7. "Help identifying a gun: 1835 Amberg".
  8. "Gewehrfabrik Amberg". 18 May 2002.
  9. Graf, John F. (11 March 2009). Standard Catalog of Civil War Firearms. Krause Publications. p. 252. ISBN 978-1-4402-2696-0.
  10. "Japanese Military Uniforms 1841-1929" by Ritta Nakanishi ISBN 4-499-22737-2
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