Musket hammer 1st ever. What Era?

[Beeps in my sleep]

Today I went to my best friend's house in Mainsville, PA. It is just outside of Shippensburg , PA and has had history. During June of 1863 Confederates invaded Shippensburg. They later sent forces to Mainsville to retrieve supplies. I don't know how old this Musket Trigger part is, so if someone can help me date it that would be great. I have never found one of these but it was in the spot they ravaged for supplies. I don't expect it to be civil war but would be awesome if it is. I was just happy finding it! Any Idea of the Era since there is no markings?

 

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[NOLA_Ken]

Well it's a percussion lock hammer, probably 1840's - 1860's would be my guess. Nice find!

 

[smokeythecat]

It's a percussion hammer and is at least as old as the Civil War. Percussion caps for main military use went out of style not all that long after the civil war due to the invention and widespread use of the metallic cartridge.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

I looked a bit more to see ifI could pin it down and I'm really not sure what type of musket it's from. It's a bit different from both Springfield and Enfield hammers that I've seen. There were so many makers back then though, I'm afraid the best we may be able to do is the date range. Unless of course someone recognizes it right off.

 

[Beeps in my sleep]

Thank you! I will wait to see if someone can narrow it down for me before I mark it solved. Love the info you folks are providing me with! It is greatly appreciated!

 

[BosnMate]

This is as close as I could come to your find. The pistol is an 1842 dated U. S. Model 1836 A. Waters pistol converted from flint lock to percussion lock. There were so many different kinds of percussion lock hammers manufactured it would be almost impossible to pin down what gun yours comes from. Percussion caps were invented in 1836, and self contained cartridges started replacing muzzle loaders during the Civil War. But muzzle loading firearms remained in use by many people for many reasons right up until today. I still shoot muzzle loaders.
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[steelheadwill]

Nice Find! I can't help with what particular firearm it came from, but very glad you posted it, I may have one in my scrap pile that I thought was a flush handle

 

[Beeps in my sleep]

Nice Find! I can't help with what particular firearm it came from, but very glad you posted it, I have a one in my scrap pile that I thought was a flush handle

DIG THAT OUT! lol Did you find it at an area known to have CW activity? Post a pic! I wanna see it! Love this hammer so much I must have held at least an hour total today over the course of the day I kept picking it up and trying to imagine who dropped it? did they die here? did they fight in gettysburg? did they survive the battle and war? Its like a euphoria

 

[steelheadwill]

DIG THAT OUT! lol Did you find it at an area known to have CW activity? Post a pic! I wanna see it! Love this hammer so much I must have held at least an hour total today over the course of the day I kept picking it up and trying to imagine who dropped it? did they die here? did they fight in gettysburg? did they survive the battle and war? Its like a euphoria

I call what you describe 'The Fever'. It's great to hear your enthusiasm, I know just how it feels.
While some treasure coins most, I think the most interesting finds are the small relics of everyday life from days past.
Many hours have been spent researching some obscure items. Coins are easy compared to some relics.
Recalling the time frame when it was recovered, it likely came from the site that yielded a serpent fusil sideplate and has given many goodies dating 1700-1820.
Will go out and try to find the item when the current downpour stops, it's 52' up here in NH, unbelievable.
This rain is much needed, we've had none for a couple months, when it's this dry there are a lot of sites where the root mass gets almost impenetrable, like coconut husk.
I'm assuming your hammer is iron, did you electrolyse it? It looks great !
HH to Ya, Herbie

 

[Beeps in my sleep]

I call what you describe 'The Fever'. It's great to hear your enthusiasm, I know just how it feels.
While some treasure coins most, I think the most interesting finds are the small relics of everyday life from days past.
Many hours have been spent researching some obscure items. Coins are easy compared to some relics.
Recalling the time frame when it was recovered, it likely came from the site that yielded a serpent fusil sideplate and has given many goodies dating 1700-1820.
Will go out and try to find the item when the current downpour stops, it's 52' up here in NH, unbelievable.
This rain is much needed, we've had none for a couple months, when it's this dry there are a lot of sites where the root mass gets almost impenetrable, like coconut husk.
I'm assuming your hammer is iron, did you electrolyse it? It looks great !
HH to Ya, Herbie

sweet! And it had electrolysis but not a ton. Just enough to clean it up a little bit. I don't want to damage it. It isn't my average hunk of Iron that I am having fun cleaning to see what it is. I wonder if I should put something on it to prevent further rust. Hope your ground stays soft after the rain and HH!