Original item: One Only. The U.S. Model 1822 Musket was a .69 caliber smoothbore flintlock, with a 42-inch barrel and an overall length of 58 inches. It replaced the previous model 1816 musket, and often is viewed as a further development of that design. One of the most noticeable differences in the Model 1822 is the attachment of the lower sling swivel. The forward part of the trigger bow was provided with an enlargement which was drilled to receive the sling swivel rivet. Previously, the sling swivel had been affixed to a stud in front of the trigger bow.

The Model 1822 was produced by the Springfield Armory, Harpers Ferry Armory, and numerous other contractors, such as M.T. Wickham. It was eventually replaced by the Springfield Model 1835, which is also considered by many to be a continuation of the Model 1816. These were sometimes referred to as "Whitney Flintlocks" due to the large number made in New Haven, Connecticut by Eli Whitney.

In the 1850s, many of the Flintlock Muskets in Arsenal were converted to Percussion, which was a much more reliable and water-resistant ignition system. This involved all variants of the Model of the 1816, and helped to standardize the types of ammunition carried by the soldiers in the field. The easiest conversion type, often referred to as the “Belgian” style conversion, was to simply tap a threaded hole in the top of the breach of the barrel to permit the fitting of a percussion cone (aka “nipple”). The lock had the frizzen and other external parts removed, and the pan mostly cut off. Many of these were then used during the Civil War by local militias, especially in the South, which did not have the same industrial capacity.

This example was contractor produced, as indicated by the markings on the lock plate , which are a bit worn but still fully legible:

Marine T. Wickham was probably the most notable armorer to work at Harpers Ferry before 1816. Equally adept at forging, filing, stocking, and engraving firearms, Wickham possessed great talent as a gunsmith. More importantly, he exhibited a rare ability to manage men effectively while at the same time retaining their admiration and respect. These qualities did not go unnoticed, for in 1808 the secretary of war selected Wickham to succeed Perkin's long-time associate, Charles Williams, as master armorer at Harpers Ferry. However, after three years, he left to go out on his own, and made many guns under contract to the U.S. Government.

The lock plate on this example still has the remnants of the brass pan intact on the top, and the mounting points for the frizzen and frizzen spring can still be seen, though they are plugged. The lock was fitted with a large M1840 style hammer made for conversions. We checked the bore, and it is heavily fouled and oxidized due to use, with the muzzle area being very thin. We did however notice what looks to possibly rifling on the inside of the barrel, though that would require a heavy cleaning to be able to see, which would not be prudent due to the high amount of oxidation. As one would expect, there is quite a bit of erosion around the added cap nipple cone, indicating heavy use after percussion conversion. In spite of this, the breech areas is still proof marked with the standard V over P over an Eagle's Head, and we can also make out an 183? date on the barrel tang.

We checked the left side of the American Black Walnut stock, and we were not able to see any traces of the original stock inspection cartouches. It does look to have been worn down a bit from cleaning, but the geometry is still well preserved, so there was not a major loss of wood. Overall it shows the lovely red brown color of aged and oiled walnut, with no major damage or repairs we can see. We did note that there is a chunk missing on the left side of the barrel tang, and there is also erosion to the stock on the other side under the hammer from powder burn. There is also a small crack running from the rear lock screw to the breech area, a very common occurrence.

The metalwork shows past peppery oxidation throughout, which has now been mostly cleaned away, leaving a bright polished matte patina overall. There is some past pitting on the top of the barrel by the cap nipple cone, and also on the butt plate. The lock still holds correctly at half cock, firing at full. There is powder burn around the cap nipple cone, so this musket definitely did see extensive service after conversion. Both sling swivels are present and move easily, and there is a very nice ramrod under the barrel with intact threads.

A fine example of an older musket converted to percussion for further service, almost certainly used during the Civil War. Fully cleaned and ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1829 - converted later
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 42 Inches
Overall Length: 57 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

History of the Model 1822 Musket:

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.

The Model 1816 musket was originally produced at the Harpers Ferry and Springfield Arsenals between 1816 and 1844. Around 675,000 were made, more than any other flintlock in U.S. history.

The Model 1816 was originally produced as a flintlock musket. Like many flintlock muskets, many of these were later converted to percussion cap, as the percussion cap system was much more reliable and weather resistant.

This model of Springfield musket was used by Texans during the Texas Revolution and by the US Army and militia during the Mexican-American War. During this conflict, the flintlock version of the Model 1816 was preferred by U.S. regular forces, due to percussion cap supply concerns.

It was also used during the early years of the American Civil War until around 1862.

Many improvements to the Model 1816 were made, producing the Model 1822, Model 1835, Model 1840, and Model 1842. U.S. Ordnance Department referred to these as different models, but in other U.S. government documents they are referred to as a continuation of the Model 1816. Modern histories are similarly inconsistent in the nomenclature of these weapons.

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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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