Prussian Model 1809 Musket,During the 18th and 19th century Prussia, a western part of modern German

Prussian Model 1809 Musket,During the 18th and 19th century Prussia, a western part of modern Germany, had one of the most professional military’s in the world.  Prussia was a small country, with a small population that had no overseas colonies.  For defense Prussia could not rely upon consripting a large army.  Rather Prussia chose to build a small army, but one that was the best trained, most disciplined, and best armed forces in the world.  This was combined with expert leadership, a culture of professionalism, superior tactics, and superior technology.The Prussian Model 1809 Musket was an example of this.  It was much like any other European military musket, lock, stock and barrel.  However, many were equipped with a unique mechanism that others did not, a special gold plated or brass cover that protects the flashpan from moisture and the elements.  This improves the reliability of a generally unreliable system, giving the Prussians an advantage over other armies of Europe.  The gold or brass plating also improved reliability of the spark traveling through the touch hole.The Prussian Army would prove its abilities in the mid 1700’s. Under the leadership of Frederick the Great, the Prussian Army was able to defeat the forces of France, Austria, and Russia simultaneously during the Seven Years War.  During the Napoleonic Wars Prussian discipline lapsed under the incompetent leadership of Frederick William II, and Prussia suffered terrible defeats at the hands of the French Army.  However, the Prussian military made a comeback, trashing the French Army during the Franco-Prussian War (1870) and unifying Germany.  The idea of Prussian military discipline and professionalism would remain an enduring culture in the German Army through World War I, World War II, and even today. -- source link

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