Thank you for all the historical information Marc, I agree that markings under the barrel would seem odd, but what do I know about such things? took the gun apart today (I am certain that this was the first time that the bayonet has been off in a very long time) and found only markings of 245 (ser.) 1840 followed by what looks like a fancy script S (1840S) and then a number 9 over B stamped. There is a very deeply staped rectangle with fine hashmarks around it's perimeter (staking breackplug in place?)I am guessing that this is not an import mark and that there are no import marks visible anywhere, another guess is that the musket was converted to percussion in 1840 at Saarn? I also wish that I was smart enough to find a way to upload a couple of photos showing these markings to the board. Please let me thank all of you very knowledgeable folks for your assistance again.....Bob.