Make: Prussian Royal Armory, Neisse

Model: M1809/39 Potsdam

Serial Number: None visible

Year of Manufacture: 1842

Caliber: .72 Caliber Smoothbore (Black Powder Only)

Action Type: Single Shot Muzzleloader, Percussion Lock

Markings: The lockplate bears a faint script “Neisse” marking behind the hammer, identifying manufacture at the Prussian royal arsenal in Neisse. The top flat of the buttplate tang originally bore the Crown over “FW” (Friedrich Wilhelm III) over “42”, indicating 1842 production, though this is now worn smooth. The heel of the buttplate is boldly stamped “1824 / 2GR5C”, denoting issue to the 2nd Garde Regiment, 5th Company, and assigned Rack Number 1824.

Additional matching inspection marks are found throughout the musket. The lock screw heads are marked “13.” The middle barrel band is also stamped “13,” and the muzzle is marked “112.” The left brass sideplate is stamped “W” and “10.” A faint depot cartouche impression remains on the right side of the buttstock.

Barrel Length: 41"

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a fixed blade forged integrally with the front barrel band. No rear sight was standard on this model.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The full-length hardwood stock shows age-darkened surfaces, with handling marks, bruising, and minor cracks including one at the upper buttplate junction. The edges show expected wear from field use and age. There is verdigris in the brass inlets. A faint rectangular depot marking appears on the right side of the buttstock. The stock remains structurally solid and rates in Good condition for a 19th-century imported military arm.

Type of Finish: Originally Arsenal Bright, now aged to a brown patina.

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is dark and shows oxidation and light erosion throughout. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 3/10.

Overall Condition: This musket retains very little of its original finish. The steel components are patinated with scattered pitting and surface freckling. The brass hardware has dulled with time. The lock shows even wear and retains mechanical function. The action holds at full-cock and is mechanically sound. Matching unit and rack marks throughout suggest original arsenal configuration. Overall, this musket rates in Good condition given its military service and age.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. As with all antique firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Our Assessment: This Prussian Model 1809/39 Potsdam musket is a highly representative example of the foreign military surplus arms imported in large numbers during the American Civil War. Built at the Neisse royal armory in 1842, this percussion-ignition model features a 41” smoothbore barrel in .72 caliber and the robust brass-mounted furniture typical of Prussian design.

Where most Potsdams show heavy wear or defaced markings, this one stands out for its visible regimental identification. The buttplate heel is clearly marked “1824 / 2GR5C”, verifying issue to the 2nd Garde Regiment, 5th Company—a highly regarded unit within the Prussian army. Matching rack numbers and inspector marks are present throughout, suggesting it remains in arsenal-matched configuration, which is rarely encountered today.

While we do not see any U.S. or Confederate markings to confirm which side of the Civil War this musket may have fought for, it absolutely fits the bill in terms of age, configuration, and European origin. Large numbers of Prussian surplus muskets were shipped across the Atlantic by arms dealers eager to profit from both sides of the conflict. That context makes this a probable contemporary Civil War import, and a historically compelling piece for collectors of 19th-century martial arms, foreign ordnance, and Civil War material culture.