Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original Swedish Napoleonic era Model 1805 Land Pattern flintlock musket, assembled in Swedish configuration using a British proofed barrel and British pattern lock. The combination of Swedish furniture and stocking with imported British components is consistent with the class of arms commonly described in Swedish collecting terminology as subsidiegevär, or subsidy muskets, associated with British military aid and arms purchases during the Napoleonic Wars.

When the "Finnish War" part of the Napoleonic wars began in 1808, Sweden was desperately short of arms. Swedish sources describe the country obtaining roughly 35,000 purchased arms plus about 20,000 subsidy arms from Britain, arriving principally in 1808 and 1812. These arms are commonly referred to in Sweden as subsidiegevär. Contemporary surviving examples show that Britain did not merely send complete muskets; locks, barrels and other components were also supplied, and some guns were subsequently stocked or assembled in Sweden. Specialist research on surviving Swedish examples specifically notes plain Swedish-made stocks, often of pale local wood, fitted with British locks and barrels.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The musket retains the characteristic L shaped brass side plate associated with the Swedish Model 1805 pattern, along with the correct style brass butt plate and Scandinavian type large round head iron screws. One similar screw secures the barrel tang through the front of the trigger guard. The butt plate is stamped:

1224

The stock also retains clear evidence of the original Swedish barrel band arrangement. Model 1805 muskets used brass barrel bands with spring retention, while the middle band was secured in conjunction with the sling swivel. On this example, the original bands were lost or removed long ago and replaced with later iron bands. The original band springs are broken away, though their impressions remain visible in the stock.

The smoothbore barrel measures approximately 41" long and currently gauges about .77" at the muzzle. Given the substantial wear, it may originally have been closer to .75 caliber. The barrel is British manufactured and bears London style proof marks including the

CROWN
GP

"Gunmakers Black Powder Proof" and

CROWN
V

"Viewed proof" from the London Gun company proofhouse. There is also a letter M between them, which may represent an individual maker or inspection mark, though its exact attribution is not known.

The lock is likewise British pattern and is marked:

IR

on the front of the lock plate beneath the frizzen spring. It is fitted with a bridled pan and reinforced ring neck cock, further supporting the use of British supplied components during the Napoleonic Era.

The barrel has been adapted to the Swedish configuration with a large rounded brass front sight, the appropriate bayonet lug and nose fitting arrangement, and an added rear sight. These features, together with the Swedish stock and furniture, are consistent with a musket assembled or altered in Sweden using imported British components during the Napoleonic period.

Sweden experienced severe arms shortages during the Napoleonic Wars, particularly around the period of the Finnish War beginning in 1808. British arms, components, and military assistance reached Sweden during this period, and surviving examples are known with British locks and barrels fitted into Swedish made stocks and furniture. This musket fits that general pattern, though its exact individual procurement or assembly history is not documented.

Overall condition is very good considering the musket’s age and long service life. The stock has several repaired cracks and notable wood loss along portions of the fore stock. The original band springs are broken, and the original brass bands and nose cap were replaced long ago with later iron components. The lock presently operates, but it is mechanically worn and will release from both full cock and half cock, indicating that the sear or tumbler engagement is no longer functioning correctly.

With its Swedish Model 1805 stock and brass furniture, 41" British proofed barrel, British pattern lock, surviving Swedish sight and bayonet features, and clear evidence of later service alterations, this is a particularly interesting Napoleonic era musket in subsidy type configuration. The repaired stock cracks, fore stock loss, replacement iron bands, broken band springs, and unsafe half cock condition are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Swedish military arms, Napoleonic Wars, British subsidy arms, Scandinavian flintlock, or advanced European martial long arms collection.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1810
Caliber: 0.75" - worn to about 0.77"
Cartridge Type: Powder & Ball
Barrel Length: 41 Inches
Overall Length: 58 Inches
Action type: Side action Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

At the end of the 16th century, the Swedish military musket became a style-setter. Its style remained the same until about 1660 in most armies. In Sweden, its basic style lasted for many years—until the end of the 1680s. The matchlock was the dominant mechanism on the Swedish Army soldiers' muskets as well as among other European armed forces, and remained so until the latter half of the 1600s when the snaphaunce mechanism increasingly took over. But it was not until the flintlock mechanism as well as the bayonet had taken hold in earnest—around the turn of the 17th–18th centuries—that the matchlock became completely obsolete among the various squadrons within the Swedish Empire. However, some weapons equipped with wheellock mechanism were primarily reserved for the cavalry. The Swedish, purely warlike musket design remained in its basic form from Model 1696 until Model 1775. Before that, long guns – military as well as civilian – were produced in a variety of designs.

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.

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.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services.