Item Description
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 Asa Waters of Millbury, Massachusetts. 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.
This example was contractor produced, as indicated by the markings on the lock plate under the pan and on the tail:
U.S.
A. WATERS
MILLBURY
1828
Asa Waters II (November 2, 1769 – December 24, 1841 in Millbury) was an American gunsmith and industrialist. He learned gunsmithing from his father, as was very common at the time for tradesmen. He earned a patent for turning a gun barrel in a lathe. In 1808, with his brother Elijah, he founded an armory, which contracted with the government. In 1825 he founded Millbury Bank. In 1823, he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
After it was produced, the musket was converted to a percussion sporting musket, and the mounting points for the frizzen and frizzen spring can still be seen, though they are plugged. There are also still portions of the original brass pan attached to the plate. The touch hole was filled, and a cap lock nipple was added to the breech. The barrel tang still retains it's date of 1828.
The mounts are all iron and TWO Ovals containing Inspector's Cartouches appear on the left side of the stock opposite the lock. The gun still retains a wood dowel type ram rod.
Coming from about 100 years in storage this musket is still in very nice condition
despite it's modifications. Ready to display!
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.
Specifications-
Year of Manufacture: 1822 - converted later
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 35 Inches
Overall Length: 50 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading
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