The Swiss Modell 1842 Kadet Percussion Musket is a smooth bore muzzle loader intended for the youth cadet corps of Switzerland. It is smaller in size than the standard issue Infanteriegewehr Modell 1842 which was one of the first standardized service rifles of the Swiss military.

The 1842 pattern would become very successful throughout the world and would be manufactured by a number of countries for their own use and for export. The Modell 1842 would eventually be updated or converted with rifling as the 1842/59 and later with a Milbank-Amsler receiver in 1867.

This musket is a cadet version of the 1842 made by Beuret Freres of Leige Belgium. Numerous Belgian gunsmiths and manufacturers built arms for Switzerland up to the late 1870s. This musket is marked “Mannedorf” which is in Zurich, the first Canton of Switzerland. It is also marked No 26 which could be a storage/rack/unit number.  There are some sources that attribute the No26 marking as a reference to the twenty six cantons of Switzerland but at that time there were only twenty two.

The bore has not been rifled. The caliber is 14.5mm (.57 cal) with a barrel length of 25 inches. Overall length is 39 inches. This musket is substantially smaller than most Swiss cadets. This musket would have been issued between the late 1840’s to mid 1860’s.

The overall condition of this musket is very good. The finish on the stock is very shows only minor wear. The wood itself shows no cracking or splitting but does have a few minor dings and scratches to be expected for a musket of this age.

The barrel finish is very good with minimal wear and no obvious scratching. There is rust staining in spots but very minor. The smooth bore is very good and is surprisingly clean. There is only very minor fouling build up as well as some minor pitting. The lock plate is good showing patina and wear. There is no active rust visible on any of the metal. All other parts, screws, pins, etc appear present. This musket includes a Swiss 1911 style button sling.

This musket has been tested for function and the lock, cock, and trigger work normally. This musket has NOT been test fired by us. This would make a beautiful addition to any collection especially the muzzle loader or military enthusiast. This musket is classified antique.

26 – Left side rear barrel
No 26 – Top rear barrel
Mannedorf (Village in Canton of Zurich) – Top rear barrel
E over LG over Star in Circle (Belgian Proof Mark) – Left side rear barrel
Beuret Freres Liege (makers) – Right side lock plate
Crown over BF (Beuret Freres proof) – Barrel bands, trigger guard, side plates, butt plate