Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1795 flintlock musket manufactured at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry in 1817 and later converted to percussion ignition, most likely during the mid-19th century. The musket remains in very attractive service-used condition and displays the extensive wear, alterations, and aged patina expected from a military arm that remained useful for several decades after its original manufacture.

The Model 1795 was the first standardized musket manufactured at the United States federal armories. Although Springfield transitioned to the later Model 1812 pattern during the War of 1812 era, Harpers Ferry continued producing its own distinctive variation of the Model 1795 through approximately 1818 or 1819. The Model 1816 subsequently became the first standardized U.S. musket manufactured at both Springfield and Harpers Ferry.

This example bears the correct Harpers Ferry lock markings. The flat lock plate is heavily worn, with only traces of the original Federal Eagle visible beneath the hammer. The tail is clearly marked:

HARPERS
FERRY
1817

The 1817 date places this musket near the end of Harpers Ferry Model 1795 production.

The musket also retains the earlier style separate lower sling swivel bolster rather than having the lower swivel mounted directly to the trigger guard, another feature consistent with the late Harpers Ferry Model 1795 configuration.

At some point during its service life, the musket was converted from its original flintlock ignition system to percussion. Large numbers of older U.S. flintlock muskets were converted during the 1840s and 1850s as the percussion cap proved considerably more reliable and resistant to wet weather.

This conversion is more extensive than a simple alteration of the original flintlock. The breech portion of the barrel was removed and replaced with a breech plug incorporating an integral percussion bolster and nipple. This general form of conversion is similar to work performed during the 1850s by contractors such as Henry E. Leman of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Hewes & Phillips of Newark, New Jersey. We could not locate any markings on the breech plug identifying the specific arsenal or contractor responsible for this conversion.

The percussion nipple shows very substantial use. There is extensive powder burning around the bolster, and the cone itself is heavily eroded and partially missing. These features indicate that the musket continued to see considerable use after its conversion.

The lock remains functional, although it currently releases the hammer from both half cock and full cock. It should therefore be considered mechanically defective and intended for collection and display rather than firing.

Replacement of the original breech section during conversion removed the early barrel markings, and none are presently visible. We also examined the left side of the stock for government inspection cartouches but could not locate any. Several scratched or carved letters are present in the wood.

The musket measures approximately 58 inches overall and has a 42 1/4 inch barrel. An original-style ramrod remains present, although it may be a period replacement.

The smoothbore measures approximately .70 caliber at the muzzle due to considerable wear, compared with its original nominal .69 caliber. This muzzle wear, combined with the heavily eroded percussion nipple and powder staining around the bolster, suggests a long working life.

The metalwork has developed a very attractive dark oxidized patina throughout. We have left this surface intact rather than cleaning it aggressively, preserving the aged appearance of the musket.

The full-length walnut stock remains in very good overall condition and has developed a pleasing dark color from age and use. Numerous dents, scratches, and handling marks are present, consistent with prolonged military or militia service. There are several cracks on the right side of the stock around the lock and side plate area, although we did not observe any major losses or extensive modern repairs.

Both original sling swivels have been removed at some point, although their mounting points and bolsters remain present.

The Harpers Ferry Model 1795 evolved considerably during its long production run and differed in a number of details from contemporary Springfield production. These late Harpers Ferry muskets incorporated improvements that anticipated features later standardized on the Model 1816, making them an interesting transitional stage in the development of American military small arms.

Originally manufactured as a .69 caliber flintlock, this musket remained useful long enough to be modernized to percussion ignition decades later. Thousands of older U.S. muskets underwent similar conversions as federal and state arsenals attempted to keep existing arms serviceable during the years leading up to the Civil War.

Its 1817 manufacture date also means that this musket was already more than forty years old when the Civil War began. Arms of this type were still held in federal and state inventories and were pressed into service when the enormous demand for weapons exceeded the supply of modern rifle muskets. While Civil War use of this particular musket cannot be documented, its percussion conversion made continued service during that period entirely possible.

With its desirable 1817 Harpers Ferry lock marking, arsenal-style percussion conversion, original ramrod, long-service wear, and untouched aged patina, this is an attractive example of an early U.S. martial musket that remained in useful service through several generations of American military firearms development.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1817
Original Model: Harpers Ferry Model 1795
Original Caliber: .69 caliber
Ignition: Percussion Conversion, originally Flintlock
Ammunition: Loose Powder and Ball / Paper Cartridge
Barrel Length: 42 1/4 inches
Overall Length: 58 inches
Action: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. 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. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.