Old muzzle loaders need info?

[diggerdirect]

Hi, New here and new to antique firearms in general. I have several old guns I plan to list soon on gunbroker.com but am trying to research as much info on them as possible first.
The first is a muzzleloader marked (eagle) US SPRINGFIELD 1851 on one side, the other side is marked H S CRUMP No.9, I have links to a few pictures below.

http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/3.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/3a.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/3b.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/3c.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/3d.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/3e.JPG

The second looks quite similar to the 1851 but is only marked on the side (eagle) US NEW YORK 1862,

http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/4.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/4a.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/4b.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/4c.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/4d.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/4e.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/4f.JPG

And the third one was found in a barn years ago, it is rather pitted, missing its ramrod and a couple chunks out of the stock marked E. WHITNEY
Thanks for any help!

http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/5.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/5a.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/5b.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/5c.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/5d.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/5e.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/5f.JPG
http://www.diggerdirect.com/gunpics/5g.JPG


Thankyou in advance for any info you might have..Al Parker 'diggerdirect'

[Jim Brake 3587]

What you have in simple terms are 1. Model 1842 Smoothbore Musket, 2. Model 1861 Contract Musket made in NY 3. Eli Whitney made " Mississippi Rifle".
To give you more info and be exact , I would need more info......... JIm B.

[Jim_Burgess_2078V]

The first pictured musket could very well be a M1842 Springfield as Jim Brake states. However, it could also be a M1851 cadet musket which is a somewhat diminutive version of the M1842 musket. No way to tell the scale from your photos. If the musket is .69 caliber with a 42" long barrel, it is indeed a M1842. If it is .57 caliber with a 40" barrel, it is a cadet. No question the others are a contract M1861 rifle-musket (.58 caliber) and a Whitney M1841 "Mississippi" rifle (could be .54 or .58 caliber).
Jim Burgess, 15th CVI

[Southron Sr.]

I note that the M1861 has a "non-standard" M1855 type of rear sight.

Since the rifle was made by a contractor, it could have come this way OR the sight could be a replacement rear sight added by a surplus dealer after the war. There is really no way one can tell.

As with ALL muzzleloaders that come out of an attic or barn, you should have a competent gunsmith check and see IF they are still LOADED!

Back in the "old days" people often kept their muzzleloaders LOADED, sitting in a corner so if they were needed-no time would be lost loading the gun.

Until you are certain that they are not loaded, treat them as if they were.
GOOD LUCK