Prussian Model 1809/39 percussion musket with bayonet, NSN, .71 caliber, 41" barrel with a dark, pitted bore. This is a so-called 'Potsdam Musket' with all of the visible metal having a dark, plum-brown patina that has even pinprick pitting throughout that gets quite heavy on and around the nipple bolster. The lockplate is marked "POTSDAM" just ahead of the hammer, while the barrel has some visible proofs, and an "1826" date on the left flat. The brass barrel bands and trigger guard have a frosted yellow-ochre patina throughout. The stock has small handling marks and surface blemishes scattered about the otherwise quite nice old oil finish, with some heavy erosion on the right side of the wrist just behind the nipple bolster. Additionally, there are some initials carved into the buttstock on the left side: "T (or possibly an ‘L’) D." The action does not lock at full-cock, and the sear is worn so that the hammer will drop from half-cock. An original trumpet-headed ramrod is present, as well as an original socket bayonet that measures 22 1/2" overall, with a 19" angular, unfullered blade without back flutes.
These Prussian muskets were stop-gap weapons imported to arm the hastily assembled volunteer regiments mustered into service by both sides at the start of the Civil War. As US arms production ramped-up, these flintlock conversions were relegated to garrison duty or storage. This example is in fair-good condition overall. Antique.
