'42 stock question

[fullertc]

I recently saw an original 1851 marked 1842 musket for sale by an antique arms seller that appear to be correct except that the left side of the butt stock has been scalloped out, much like the European muskets. The seller stated that some '42's had this feature, some did not. Is this correct? If so, is it N-SSA legal for competition? Thank you.

[Jim_Burgess_2078V]

Caveat emptor! I've never seen a M1842 musket with a scalloped buttstock and I'm pretty sure it didn't leave Harpers Ferry or Springfield that way. I suspect it is a later alteration. Those stocks were originally cut on a Blanchard lathe which made them very uniform.

Jim Burgess, 15th CVI

[John Holland]

Tom - The musket as described cannot be approved for use in the N-SSA's competitive matches. I suspect that what you have seen is a French/Belgian stock that has been fitted with some U.S. M-1842 parts.