Original Item: Only One Available. Offered here is an exceptionally interesting and rarely encountered early American Southern martial musket with a remarkable service history spanning from the early 19th century through the American Civil War.

This Virginia Manufactory 2nd Model Musket was produced in 1820 for the Virginia state militia and later converted from flintlock to percussion, most likely by a Confederate arsenal during the Civil War. It represents exactly the type of older but serviceable firearm that Southern forces relied upon when the enormous demand for weapons exceeded available supply.

Following the War of 1812, improvements were sought over earlier Model 1795 style muskets, leading to updated designs such as the Springfield Model 1812. Individual states also maintained their own military forces and contracted for arms production, including Virginia, which operated its own state armory system.

This example is one of approximately only 1,500 muskets produced in this pattern for the Commonwealth of Virginia, making surviving examples extremely scarce more than two centuries later.

The lock plate was originally marked:

VIRGINIA
Manufactory

beneath the original pan location, with:

RICHMOND
1820

on the lock plate tail.

Due to many decades of service, handling, and period cleaning, the markings have become faint. However, under 16X magnification they remain identifiable, with portions of the “Manufactory” marking still visible.

Additional markings appear to have once been stamped into the right side of the butt stock, as well as below the trigger guard tang. These are no longer legible, but they provide an intriguing research opportunity for collectors familiar with early Virginia arms.

This musket represents the 2nd Model Virginia Manufactory configuration, replacing the earlier 1797 pattern. The design follows the U.S. Model 1812 musket very closely and predates later Model 1816 improvements. One identifying feature is the separate lower sling swivel mounting arrangement rather than attaching the swivel directly to the trigger guard.

With only approximately 1,500 originally produced, any surviving example of this pattern is considered rare.

One of the most historically fascinating aspects of this musket is its percussion conversion. Like many older flintlock arms still available when the Civil War began, this example was modernized for continued military use.

The style of conversion is very consistent with work performed by Confederate arsenals during the war. Unlike more standardized Federal conversions, this example displays a more practical wartime method. A percussion cone bolster was added at the breech over the original touch hole area, the flash pan was removed, and a fitted metal insert was installed at the top of the lock plate. The original frizzen and frizzen spring holes were plugged, and the flintlock hammer was replaced with a percussion hammer.

The workmanship reflects the urgent conditions faced by Confederate armorers, who focused on returning available weapons to service as quickly as possible. Today, these wartime modifications are an important part of the musket’s history and help tell the story of Confederate arms production and supply challenges.

The lock remains functional, holding correctly at half cock and firing from full cock.

The musket measures approximately 56 3/4 inches overall, with a 41 3/4 inch barrel. This is only slightly shorter than the standard specification, and minor variations are expected among arms produced during this early period before complete standardization.

One particularly interesting feature is the bore size. This example measures approximately .75 caliber rather than the standard .69 caliber normally associated with U.S. muskets of the era. The reason for this remains unknown and represents another excellent research opportunity. Interestingly, two previous examples we encountered in original flintlock configuration also measured approximately .75 caliber.

Overall condition is very good considering the extraordinary length of service this musket experienced. From its original militia issue, through decades of use, and eventual Civil War era conversion, it represents a firearm that remained valuable and functional through multiple generations.

The metal surfaces display a wonderful matured patina, with evidence of past oxidation and peppering that has since been cleaned. Both sling swivels remain present and functional, and the musket retains an original ramrod beneath the barrel with intact threads.

The American black walnut stock has a beautiful aged red-brown color that only develops over many years. It shows expected service wear, including dents, scratches, handling marks, and some cracking around the lock plate area. Importantly, there is no major damage or evidence of significant repairs.

Overall, this is a rare and historically significant Southern martial musket with a fascinating service life. Originally produced by the Virginia Manufactory in 1820, later updated through a Confederate-style percussion conversion, and preserved more than 200 years later, it represents an incredible survivor from early American and Civil War history.

A wonderful addition to any advanced Confederate, Civil War, or early American military arms collection. Ready for further research and display.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1820
Caliber: Approximately .75 Caliber
Ammunition Type: Loose Powder and Ball
Barrel Length: 41 3/4 Inches
Overall Length: 56 3/4 Inches
Action Type: Side Action Percussion Conversion
Feed System: Single Shot Muzzle Loader

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IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

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