How to trace history

[gunnut41]

It is not a long rifle but I am trying to find out how to trace the history of an1842 Springfield musket.
I know it was Given to my SIL's Grandfather by an older gentleman in Wisconsin about 80 years ago.
It was passed down to his son when he died and again to my SIL's brother.

Was a total catastrophy ( broken wrist ,bent barrel , and 90% rust).I have put it all back together and due to extreme barrel (internal) damage will hang it on the wall as it was gifted to me.
Would like to find out as much as I can about it.
Other than the above the only identifying marks are the Springfield Armory ,1846 mark on the lock plate and the American eagle on the lock plate.
Has proof marks (of some kind) on the bottom of barrel and breach plug of G and 5
There are no other markings of any kind so leaves me with no starting place.

Any help appreciated


gunnut41

[mr. no gold]

Sounds like you made wise decision to leave it pretty much alone. You have a nice Mexican War period Model 1842 musket in a 'somewhat used' condition. This was one of the first official percussion guns ordered by the military. The marks on the barrel are the proof marks and there were probably some cartouches on the stock side plate opposite the lock; perhaps they can still be seen, or traces of same. There may be a date on the tang agreeing with the date on the lock plate, but these are often erroded away. You will encounter guns that have dates that do not agree and it may be that assemblers at the arsenals mixed them in the production process. Feel free to post some photos of your gun. We would like to see it.
As to tracing the history from the gun itself, pretty darned hard. Better chance of it if you can get the names of the prior owners and go back from that info.
Best-Dick

[longrifle]

I agree post photo's I would like to see it too.