Original item: One of a Kind. Now this is something we do not see every day! This is a very early American Model 1808 Flintlock Musket, made very much in the style of the Model 1795 patterned not long after the end of the U.S. Revolution. At the time the Arsenal and Armory at Springfield was still relatively small, so due to this there were often contracts issued for this and later muskets.

In 1808, the U.S. Government issued contracts to numerous gunmakers active at the time, nineteen in total, and very few of these remain today. In fact there are no known examples by some makers, partly due to the fact that some of the 1808 markings did not have any maker markings on their lock plates. There is a great PDF article at the American Society of Arms Collectors detailing the various makers and markings used in this contract: 1808 United States Contract Muskets.

This is a lovely example of a Model 1808 Contract musket, which features the correct flat lock plate with a pointed tail. There are no maker markings on the lock plate, and it doesn't look like there ever was. It is correctly marked with a number 3 on the tail of the lock plate, and a Federal eagle perched on U S in an oval, the standard marking for muskets with no maker mark. The barrel has the correct US proof mark over an Eagle Head / CT proof, with a V proof below that. There is some debate, but it is generally accepted that the "CT" is for "Contract", which explains why muskets made in various different states have this marking. The left side of the stock just below the side plate is marked with a V / CW cartouche, indicating inspection by Charles Williams, a known inspector of these early flintlock muskets.

The musket's mounts are all of iron, as is correct for the pattern. The metalwork overall has a lovely light gray polished patina, showing over two centuries of careful cleaning and preservation. There is some light past powder burn near the touch hole and on the flash pan, which has been cleaned and polished away. The ramrod is still present, and definitely looks to be original, though it is somewhat reduced in length. The lock is fully functional, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full, though the mainspring is quite strong and it takes quite a bit of effort to cock the musket.

The stock is in lovely condition, looking to have been oiled and varnished over the many years this musket has been cared for. There is a bit of cracking and small repairs around the lock plate, however we cannot see any major damage or structural issues. The fore stock area is in great shape, with no cracks or slivers missing along the wood line.

A great example of a very early American contract military musket, only one of a few that we have ever had, full of research potential. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:-
Year of Manufacture: circa 1808
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 44 3/8 Inches
Overall Length: 59 1/4 Inches
Action type: Side Action Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

History of the Model 1795 Musket:

The Model 1795 was the first musket to be produced in the United States by Springfield and Harper's Ferry Arsenals, as well as contractor Eli Whitney. It was based heavily on the Charleville musket, Model 1763/66, which had been imported in large numbers from the French during the American Revolution, and which at the time comprised the largest number of muskets in U.S. arsenals at about 20,000 muskets. The Model 1795 was used in the War of 1812, after which shortcomings in both the design and manufacturing process of the Model 1795 led to the development of the Model 1812 Musket at Springfield only, and eventually the Model 1816 Musket muskets at both armories.

The Model 1795 a very elongated musket, retained many of the characteristics of the Charleville on which it was based. It had a 44 inches (110 cm) long .69 caliber barrel, a 56 inches (140 cm) stock, and a total length of 60 inches (150 cm). The original version had the bayonet lug on the bottom of the barrel but this was later moved to the top. Minor changes were made throughout production inclusive of a shorter barrel length of 42 inches (110 cm) on the later Harper's Ferry weapons. Barrels of Harper's Ferry 1795s were serial numbered up to some point in 1812: Springfield Model 1795's were never serial numbered. Springfield began the Model 1812 improvements in 1814, but Harper's Ferry continued on with the production of the Model 1795 until at least 1819 (early 1819 examples still used the M1795 lockplate) and never produced the Model 1812. Eventually, both armories incorporated improvements into the Model 1816 flintlock which were after a few years virtually identical. Most, but not all, parts will interchange on the Model 1816 muskets but the hand-crafted parts, and lack of set standards and patterns on the earlier Model 1795 weapons often means parts will not interchange easily.

Typical of smoothbore muskets, the M1795 had an effective range of about 50 yards (46 m) to 75 yards (69 m). The Model 1795 fired a smaller round than the British .75 caliber Brown Bess, but the Model 1795 also had both a slightly longer range and slightly better accuracy than the Brown Bess musket. This gave the American forces an advantage of range when they faced British forces in the War of 1812.

The War of 1812 had revealed many weaknesses in American muskets. The Model 1812 Musket was created in an attempt to improve both the design and manufacture of the musket. The Model 1816 made further improvements, and replaced the Model 1812. The Model 1812 had borrowed heavily from the design of the French Charleville model 1777 musket, and this design was retained for the Model 1816. The Model 1816 had a 42 inch long .69 caliber smoothbore barrel, similar to the Model 1812, but had a longer lock plate, a shorter trigger guard, and a longer bayonet than the Model 1812. The Model 1816 also had a more straight lined stock. The overall length of the weapon was 58 inches.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.