Springfield Model 1842

History of the Springfield Model 1842

The battlefield of the American Civil War (1861-1865) became home to many different types of weapons - pistols, carbines, muskets and rifles. In a clash of technology and tactics, old and new models are displayed side by side. One of the rifles both sides relied on was the flintlock-based Model 1816, originally developed from the well-known Springfield and Harpers Ferry armouries.

The line was gradually updated to the Model 1840 (still in flintlock form), eventually becoming the Model 1842.

Like the Type 1816 and Type 1840 that preceded it, the Type 1842 also appeared. 69 musket chamber with three barrel bands along its length. The shoulder rest has been integrated as part of the grip and front rest.

The action is commanded by metal parts concentrated near the trigger unit - usually below. Sights were not included in the smoothbore design (which came later when the gun was drawn). Construction required extensive machining, a first for a US government-made firearm.

Another first for the Type 1842 to enter service in the United States was the switch to an impact cap action (from Steinschloss), which improved environmental reliability. The barrel is extra thick and can be pulled out later. It was also the last government-issued rifle.

69 Chambering Everything changed when the spun-stabilized French Mini Ball arrived.

The 10-pound rifle was 58 inches long with a 42-inch barrel. Effective range is 75 yards, with a maximum range of 200 yards - the smooth barrel characteristics of the barrel provide natural imprecision in fired bullets - which are affected by a variety of factors once out of barrel range.

Some 275,000 Model 1842 rifles were manufactured from 1844 to 1855, some also from commissioned private suppliers. Such weapons circulated during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) and were firmly established during the 1861 Civil War - but they were generally considered obsolete, and although neither side had better replacements, these rifles were still often into the hands of soldiers. Eventually, over time, these guns were rifled and equipped with sights to create more modern, more powerful range weapons.

The series was eventually used from 1844 until the end of the war in 1865.

Specification

Basic

Year of Service

1844

Origins

United States

Categories

Muzzle-loaded musket/rifle

Manufacturer

Springfield Armory - USA

Operator

Allied Powers; United States

Roles

musket

Loading ancient guns from the muzzle; fully manual operation on the rear of the frame; poor accuracy forces large numbers of soldiers to fire at once for best results.

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length

1,475 mm

58.07 in

Cured weight

10.03 lbs

4.55 kg

Attractions

Front and rear irons (rifle version)

Action

flintlock system/primer; single shot; muzzle loading

Percussion Cover

Propellant ignition is triggered using an impact cap operating system; similar to children's cap guns, small explosive caps are placed on the nipples, which are driven by previously erected drop weights.

Flintlock

A primer on operating systems that were popular about 200 years ago. The action involves a piece of flint and a drop weight to create the spark/ignition, igniting the propellant to propel the ammunition from the chamber to the barrel and through the muzzle.

Cartridges and Paper Feeds

Caliber*

. 69 Musket Ball

Circle/Feed

Single-Shot

PERFORMANCE

Max Eff. Range

195 ft

(59 m | 65 yd)

Rate-of-Fire

3

rds/min

VARIANTS

Model 1842 - Base Series Designation