Original item: One Only. The U.S. Model 1816 Musket was a .69 caliber smoothbore flintlock, with a 42-inch barrel and an overall length of 58 inches. It replaced the previous model 1812 musket, and often is viewed as a further development of that design. Like the Model 1812, the Model 1816 borrowed heavily from the design of the French Charleville model 1777 musket, 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 Model 1816 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 1822, 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.

The outbreak of the Civil War in the United States created a large need for percussion muskets, as the number of modern firearms currently on hand was far short of what was needed. To fill this need, updating older design firearms was both faster and more cost effective, so many Model 1816 family muskets still in service were updated to percussion rifles.

This patinated example however still is in the original flintlock configuration, and was originally manufactured at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield, in Springfield, Massachusetts. Is is marked on the lock plate tail with date 1816, and under the hammer are the correct early pattern markings with the "Script" U.S. at top:

U.S.
(Federal Eagle)
SPRINGFIELD

The breech end of the barrel is marked on the top with a US stamp and other markings, while the left side has P over Eagle's Head over V proofs, correct for this time period, as the "Liberty Cap" had been deprecated in 1799 in favor of other markings. The tang of the butt plate is also dated 1816, and there is a rack number of 5 marked as well. We checked the stock, and there are no markings on the left side of the stock, however the bottom has an S inside an Oval, as well as some numbers or letters closer to the trigger guard tang, definitely a good opportunity for further research!

Overall this is a very good example of a Model 1816 Long Musket, still in the original flintlock configuration with no signs of alteration or reconversion to the lock and barrel. The stock is in very nice condition, showing evidence of long use, with the expected dents and dings from service, and overall wear. There also does appear to have been a partial split through the wrist at one point, which was then repaired at arsenal long ago. The rest of the stock is sound, and has a lovely dark red brown color.

The metalwork is lovely, showing a nice aged patina overall, with no major rusting present, just some light overall past peppering, now cleaned away. The original ramrod is still present, as are both sling swivels, however the swivel in front of the trigger guard is currently frozen. Both barrel bands and the nose cap are still present, retained by their correct band springs.

A lovely unconverted example of an early American Musket made during the first year of Model 1816 production, most likely never reissued for use in the Civil War. Ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1816
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 42 Inches
Overall Length: 57 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

History of the Model 1816 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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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. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.