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 Brooke Evans of Valley Forge / Philadelphia. 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. Some of these were simple "cone in barrel" conversions, however the arsenals performed a more sturdy alteration. This involved removing all of the brass pan from the lock plate along with the frizzen and spring. The barrel was removed and fitted with a cap bolster very similar to the model 1842 musket, and that is exactly the type we have here.

This example was contractor produced, and is marked on the lock plate faintly with B. E[VANS] / PHILA, which as correct is the only marking on the lock. The end of the name is mostly missing, but comparison to other known examples shows that this is definitively a Brook Evans Model 1816 musket. This maker is quite rare, and this is the first example we have had from this maker.

Brooke Evans, who migrated from Sheffield, England, was a Philadelphia hardware merchant whose business was registered at 120 High Street. He partnered with John Rogers, an iron industrialist from Philadelphia, who had purchased land on the west side of Valley Creek, setting the stage for firearms manufacturing at Valley Forge. They were transferred contract previously awarded to Alex McRae of Richmond, VA to manufacture Model 1816 muskets. Official records state from March of 1821 to December of 1823, Evans and John Rogers manufactured “Under this agreement, five thousand seven hundred and thirty muskets, of approved quality, have been delivered; and no doubt is entertained of its being satisfactorily fulfilled within a short period.” During this time it appears that they adopted the Model 1822, or Model 1816 Type II modifications, so later examples have the trigger guard sling swivel, however this example does not, so it was most likely made early in the contract.

Overall this is a very nice example of a Model 1816 Long Musket, converted to percussion in the 1850s with signs of service in the field. It came to us out of long storage, and we have left it as is, as it is quite lovely without any type of restoration. All we did was wipe off the dust. There is a good amount of powder burn near the cap nipple cone, so it definitely saw service after conversion, almost certainly during the U.S. Civil war. In spite of the wear, it still has relatively clear P and U S proof marks on the barrel breech

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 is a stress crack on the lower left butt stock, which has no movement. The metalwork shows a lovely brown oxidized patina, which is really quite lovely, very similar to the "arsenal brown" finish used during the early part of the 19th century. 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 still present as well.

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: Circa 1821-1823
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 42 Inches
Overall Length: 57 ¾ 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.

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.