Swiss (or Belgium) Model 1842 Percussion Infantry Musket?

[SWOwner]

My apologies if I posted this inappropriately. My searches show that their is a wealth of knowledge on Civil War stuff on this forum as well as WWII. So - figured I would give this a shot. If I broke any forum rules - please feel free to remove.

Well, just picked up a neat musket (always wanted one). I was told it was used by a Minnesota soldier in the Civil War. I was also told it bounced between Belgium and Switzerland and ended up used during the Civil War...anyway - just going through the first phase of ID'ng the markings and need a little help.

Now, I did find a "A Swiss Model 1842 Percussion Infantry Musket" that had the "Crown over BF" and "V inside of a Circle" markings AND M6328M on its butt while my new puppy has M5xxxM on the butt. That rifle was sold at auction in 2006.

I THINK...

1. Their are Belgian Gun Maker markings (Crown over BF) all over the rifle...
2. Their are the standard Belgian (E over LG star) Proof House Markings...
3. "Shield" looks like emblem of Canton Neuchâtel (Western Switzerland)...
4. "1091" might be is the Beuret Frères assembly number...
5. The "L" mark might be Swiss Inspector Ledermann...
6. The "N" mark might be the Swiss Manufacture Mark (sometimes represented by just a N)...

NO CLUE...

6. Their are a few "V inside of a Circle" - no clue...
7. Haven't a clue what the "CGP" - no clue...
8. Haven't a clue on the "895" stamped on both the metal and wood...
9. Upside down "shield" - no clue...

I have included pictures to help with the ID process.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[SteveR]

Good looking musket.

[SWOwner]

Thanks for the kind words SteveR.

[harryamb2]

nice musket and great photos.

[SWOwner]

Thanks harryamb2. It is one of my favorites.

[USNV5]

It is a Swiss musket, there is no doubt about it. I am unaware of any Swiss weapons being used in the American Civil War but I could be wrong. Also, keep in mind that in the late 1950s and early 1960s, a large number of Swiss muskets were imported to the US by Ken Lane (see his adds in "Gun Report" magazine, he advertised them as "just like Grandaddy used in the Civil War"). However, at the start of the ACW, Switzerland was using this pattern musket for front line troops and they didn't want to sell front line weapons for export. Switzerland was not a rich country with their own arms manufacturing facilities so this musket was likely sold by Switzerland in the 1950s rather than the 1860s.

[SWOwner]

It is a Swiss musket, there is no doubt about it. I am unaware of any Swiss weapons being used in the American Civil War but I could be wrong...

Thanks USNV5 for the information. Sounds like a strong possibility. That might also explain why it looks cleaner then a 100+ years old Musket should. I will see if I can round up a copy of the magazine and see if they also have the "numbers" on the stock, etc. Thanks again.

Just found this: "... Ken Lane bought up large numbers of surplus Swiss arms and sold them in gun magazines...there has been some recent research that says that a small number of Swiss muskets MAY have been imported by the North (certainly not Southern purchased) during our Civil War...guns were likely used for training being withdrawn when regiments that trained with them were re-equipped with better arms when heading to the front..."