Original Item: Only One Available. Over the years, IMA has purchased many collections and groups of antique guns, in which case we need to take all of them, as we did in Nepal. While these collections were generally full of guns that relatively good condition, they also had some that were less complete and unfortunately would take more restoration time than we were able to give them. We kept them in storage, possibly for future products, but have now decided to offer these "As Found" antique firearms to our customers as restoration projects. These are all original and as we received them, except for cleaning the dirt and grime off the exterior.

Please note that these are still real antique guns, and are being sold in "As is" condition at a significant discount from what they would sell at if we were to fully restore them. We will do our best to photograph and describe them and know that our customers will know exactly what they are getting. If they arrive and you find that they are not to your liking, they can be returned, however please be aware that there will most likely be restocking fees assessed.

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. Later, many were converted to percussion for further service, and many of these saw service in the U.S. Civil war.

This patinated example however was never converted, however it was definitely heavily modified in other ways. The original stock looks to have been totally replaced, and the new stock is very much in the style of the French "Charleville" musket, with a cheek piece on the left side of the butt stock. It looks to be made of quality hardwood, and we suspect is a mid 19th century replacement. The lower barrel band looks to possibly be original, but now retained by a screw, and the butt plate also looks to be original, though we are not sure which model it comes from. The trigger guard is actually from a Model 1795 Musket, with the correct long tapering finials, and has had the sling swivel bolster break off.

The barrel is actually 44 inches long, though it is in the correct .69" measurement. It is possible that it may be from a Charleville, which did have a longer barrel, but it does look to have a faded "US" marking on the breech, so we do not think it is French. Of interest is that it is attached to the fore stock using pins, as there are no barrel bands above the lower one. Definitely some interesting aspects to this musket! Was it some type of experiment by a gunsmith, or just something made with parts on hand to go hunting with?

The musket, or at least the lock plate, was originally manufactured at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry in 1816, as indicated by markings on the tail of the lock plate:

HARPERS
FERRY
1816

There is also a lovely FEDERAL EAGLE marking on the lock plate in front of the hammer. There are very faint proof marks visible on the 44" smooth bore barrel, however they are unfortunately not clear enough to read.

Condition Notes:
- Lock is functional, but will hang at half cock when being "fired".
- Cleaning rod is a wooden replacement
- Shows an overall oxidized patina on the metalwork
- Very early design trigger guard used during construction.
- Stock does not have a nose cap.

A very interesting "as found" example of an early stage of the evolution of the American Springfield Musket. Lots of research potential here!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1816
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 44 Inches
Overall Length: 59 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.

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.