RARE! ORIGINAL U.S. M-1851 SPRINGFIELD CADET .58 CALIBER PERCUSSION MUSKET ~ DATED 1853

Original and rare Pre Civil War & Civil War era M-1851 Springfield .58 caliber Cadet Percussion Musket. This is the famous musket that went to VMI and other military schools prior to the Civil War and was actually used by the VMI Cadets (Virginia Military Institute) in combat at the Battle Of New Market on May 15, 1864. There were 4,000 of these muskets manufactured between 1851-1853 and was basically a scaled down Model 1842. This musket is dated 1853 and remains in good solid condition, never repaired nor modified, and its barrel still measures its full 40 inches in length. The .58 caliber bore remains in very good condition, still remains bright and shiny, and would make a good shooter if one so wishes. The musket is mechanically perfect and its ramrod appears original to the musket. Overall a good solid M-1851 Springfield Cadet Musket.