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 Lemuel Pomeroy & Co.. 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.

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, and is marked under the remnants of the brass powder pan with a Federal Eagle and L. POMEROY. It is additionally marked with 1821 / US on the lock plate tail. This is one of many Model 1816 muskets made by Lemuel Pomeroy & Company of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Between 1817 to 1836, Pomeroy made some 21,600 muskets of Type 1 (Model 1816) and Type 3 (Model 1830) for the government. Many of these were specifically destined for the state of Virginia.

Overall this is a very nice example of a Model 1816 Long Musket, converted to percussion in the 1850s with signs of long service in the field. There is extensive powder burn near the cap nipple cone, so a lot of this happened after the conversion, almost certainly during the U.S. Civil war. These muskets were dispersed all over the country, so it could have been used on either side, however we suspect it is more likely to have been used by Confederate forces. In spite of the powder burn, it still has the P, Eagle's Head, and V proof marks on the barrel breech. It is also stamped S J, for inspector Seth James, specifically noted for inspecting Pomeroy Muskets 1818-1824.

The stock is in lovely condition, showing a fantastic red brown color, only possible on aged and oiled walnut. It shows some wear and denting, but no major damage, and the only crack we can see goes from the rear lock screw to the breech area, which is a very common place for these to occur. The metalwork shows a mottled steel patina from years of cleaning to remove past oxidation. There is some more serious past corrosion around the cap nipple cone due to powder burn.  The lock still functions correctly, holding at full cock and firing at full, and the sling swivels are both still present and move easily. The cleaning rod is unfortunately missing, and the end of the barrel also shows some deformation from being dropped.

A great example of an early American Musket, later converted to percussion and most likely reissued for use in the Civil War. It has plenty of research potential and is ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1821 - 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 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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