I found this at a OGCA gun show last year. The gun is a .69 caliber model of 1840 Musket made at the Springfield Armory. Essentially the last of the muskets based on the French Charleville it was also the last of the flint lock weapons made by the US Government. Most were converted to percussion cap, and rifled with two grooves, so to find a example that is still a smoothbore flintlock is a delight. This was the back bone long arm of the Mexican War and saw use during the US Civil War.
In the first shot you can see the lock, dated 1841. You can also tell the previous owner polished off all the patina. He was well up in his 80s and bought the gun at an OGCA show in 1947. Sadly none of his kids had an interest in his antique guns.
Shot two shows the top, if you look hard you will again see the 1841 date, as well as the Springfield Eagle and the Verified Proof stamp.
Shot three shows the length of this heavy monster. Condition considering her 169 years is amazing.
A very neat piece of American history.