Model 1809 Potsdam Prussian Musket - pics

[Rob]

Just picked up this Model 1809 Potsdam Prussian Musket. I'm trying to find out some information about it so if anyone knows a thing to two about muskets, please let me know.

Has the seal of what I believe to be Friedrich Wilhelm III and is, as you can see, in good condition.

Please follow this link for MANY more detailed photos.

 

[USMA-82]

Excellent! What caliber, and when are going to shoot the darn thing? First muzzleloader?

 

[nutzack1001]

excellent condition! I would fire that, if of course it is safe to fire. I recently shot a original brown bess that that was incredible!. Best of luck with it.

Also is it a musket or a smooth bore? Does it have a rifled smooth barrel with 3 grooves or smooth?

Chances are, being Prussian, it might use a different mini-ball diameter than you can normally purchase, if you find the dimensions, Trackofthewolf.com has the mini-balls or balls you could use.

Hope that helps.

 

[Rob]

I haven't even wiped the dust off. Everything is exactly as I received it.

Not sure on the caliber. It never even occurred to me to take out the verniers. I will tomorrow.

I'll also try to take a look down the barrel to verify if it is smooth or rifled.

As for firing it, I don't know if I want to. I mean, I'm reasonably sure it will work given it's very nice condition, but it's almost 200 years old. Do I really want to fire it?

One thing. I know it needs an internal part. The hammer spring(?) is not functioning so it falls with little to no force. I don't know if this is a major thing to fix or just a simple spring. It does cock however. I'm not even sure I want to take it apart by myself. I'm mechanically inclined but I have no idea what I'd be getting into and I wouldn't want to damage anything.

I would love to have it looked at by someone who knows their muskets.

Yup, my first muzzleloader. I've fired them, not this old though.

 

[nutzack1001]

Taking it apart, well the lock off is very simple with the two screws on the back by the brass plate, everything is attached underneath the hammer housing.

The spring is under tremendous pressure and the only times i've changed them out i borrowed a "mainspring" vise from a muzzleloader builder and friend. Putting the lock together is tough and not something I would recommend.

Either way you have a nice piece there, and from what I can remember a rare one, not many survive today given the climate they came from.

Also if I recall, they were originally in Flintlock, this I believe is a conversion to percussion. When percussion came along, in the mid-1800's, someone correct me if I'm wrong, they converted the old flintlock actions to percussion so they could "keep with the times". Many old American rifles, like the "Harpers Ferry" were converted also. Damn near impossible to find one in the original configuration.

 

[Lynne]

I replied to your PM Rob. And, until it's really checked out, I wouldn't fire it either. While I'm not familiar with Potsdams, it's more than likely a 58 caliber from the look of it. It's what we call a 3 bander. Nice find there guy.