ca.1833 Springfield Musket (shortened ) and a Germanic Cadet Musket- Projects!

[gew8805]

DaveN, I see some remote similarity but the shape of your lock plate is very different from the gun currently under discussion - the two are not at all similar.

[jmoore]

Sorry that I seem to have offended you. I could be wrong but I need more information, showing items for size comparison in photographs is very imprecise. For the time being I will stick by my statements so far.

 

As far as caliber, keep in mind that the Lorenz was a rifled .54 so a smoothbored .55 could have started out as a .54 before being smoothed out here post ACW. What is the barrel length on the "7/8 cadet"? Also, would you take a photograph of the front sight from above so we can see the shape? And, if possible, let us know the length of pull, the Lorenz is considered short by many shooters.

 

BTW, nice Bavarian.

 

Nice Bavarian that's not mine! If it had a bolt, or if I knew enough to make a new one, it might be different...

You could be right, but no one else has ever made the connection before, over 25 years or so...but it ought to be educational finding out. Front sight is sort of a mashed out of shape ellipsis from the top view.

I've read that the Lorenz's weren't of the best quality, but this musket just doesn't seem of military quality. Kinda pitiful if that's what is was!

Furher measurements will be delayed until Friday, sorry! However, the comparison shots were taken at pretty much at right angles to the subjects which were placed on the same plane, so you might have a little success at scaling off the photos in the meantime. Whilst waiting, maybe further items to check will come to mind, as well.


Not offended, just testy! Again, sorry. Too much going on! Lots of it stupid. Usually doesn't get this bad! (Including this keyboard w/ the bad space bar...ERRRRf!)

[jmoore]

Let's see if a few more previously taken photos can be added in "mobile" mode.



OOh!Front sight photo! Here you go:











Not much in the way of markings, it seems. A few numbers here and there.

[gew8805]

Thanks for the extra photos jmoore. The bayonet lug is definitely for the Austrian helical slotted quadrangular bayonet, so we have eliminated a non-Austrian origin for the gun. The blued tang and buttplate screws with the otherwise bright metal also point to Austro-Hungarian arms, though occasionally all bright and all blued Lorenzes do show up. If you can tell us the length of the barrel we will have more information. The Lorenz Rifle Musket had a barrel length of slightly over 37 inches. It is in surprisingly good condition, congratulations regardless of what it turns out to be.

[jmoore]

Barrel length: 33"
Length of pull:~11 3/8"
OAL: 46 1/4"

[gew8805]

Well by golly, BINGO! It would appear that you were right, with a 33 in. barrel and that bayonet lug, it has to be a cadet musket. I appreciate being able to see the gun and being allowed to comment on it. (Even if I was wrong.)

That is a scarce one, hope you have a lot of luck handy, finding the reduced size parts will be tough.

[jmoore]

Thanks for the prodding! At least we're making progress. (mostly!- the trigger guard that's never quite been finished now needs to be rendered back down and a new bow fabricated- it looks quite unlike anything Austrian!) Phooey, it's lost again- I saw it a week or two ago...