Civil War Era Percussion Conversion of a Prussian Model 1809 Potzdam Musket

Serial #1465, .72 Caliber, 41" barrel with a good, lightly pitted bore.  This is an 1818-dated musket with "Potzdam" lockplate, converted to percussion via a large bolster at the breech.  The barrel and lock have an overall plum-brown patina with pitting present at the breech, on and around the bolster and nipple.  The brass barrel bands, trigger guard, sideplate, and buttplate have an overall brown-ochre tone throughout, while the wooden stock has numerous handling marks and blemishes scattered throughout, as well as several chips missing from the edges of the vacant ramrod channel.  Additionally, there is some erosion of the wood at the bolster from repeated firing.  The lock is still fully functional, however the sling swivels are no longer present.  Early in the Civil War, both sides were desperately short of arms and looked to Europe as a source of weapons.  The US purchased around 165,000 Prussian arms, with 100,300 of them identified as smooth-bores.  Arriving in late 1861 and early 1862, they were classified as 3rd Class weapons and relegated to non-combat troops.  By the end of 1862 they had been replaced with more suitable weapons.  There were no known Confederate purchases of arms from Prussia.  This example is in fair-good shape, and would make a great display or decorative piece.  Antique