{"product_id":"original-u-s-springfield-model-1816-contract-musket-by-lemuel-pomeroy-dated-1819-with-replaced-forestock-flintlock-reconversion","title":"Original U.S. Springfield Model 1816 Contract Musket by Lemuel Pomeroy Dated 1819 with Replaced Forestock - Flintlock Reconversion","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Model 1816 was produced by the Springfield Armory, Harpers Ferry Armory, and numerous other contractors, such as \u003cem\u003eLemuel Pomeroy \u0026amp; Co.\u003c\/em\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 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. This example was converted during this time, most likely using the \"Cone-in-Barrel\" or \"Belgian\" style conversion, where the touch hole was filled and a cap nipple cone installed directly into the barrel. However at some point after that, it was reconverted back to flintlock, the cap nipple cone removed, the hole plugged, and a new touch hole drilled. A new brass flash pan, frizzen, and frizzen spring were installed, which function well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis musket was contractor produced, and is also a very interesting example, with some features that we haven't really seen before, most notably the stock, which is hardly typical for an American stock, as it has a \"banister Rail\" style butt stock. Also known as a \"hand rail\", it features a raised, narrow, and curved wooden comb on the top of the buttstock, resembling a miniature staircase banister. This was very common for British and French muskets, but not American ones. We do not know if the stock was modified, or whether the stock was possibly replaced. We can see that the stock was split through the lock area long ago, and then repaired. It also has had the last 27 1\/2\" of the forestock completely replaced with a fabricated replacement, with a joint under the lower barrel band. There are no springs for the bands or the nose cap, and there are other areas that show hand carving or other modifications.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lock plate is marked under the replaced brass powder pan with a \u003cstrong\u003eFederal Eagle\u003c\/strong\u003e over \u003cstrong\u003eL. POMEROY\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is additionally marked with \u003cstrong\u003e1819 \/ U S\u003c\/strong\u003e on the lock plate tail. This is one of many Model 1816 muskets made by \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLemuel Pomeroy \u0026amp; Company of Pittsfield, Massachusetts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. 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. Pomeroy was not contracted to make any Type 2 (Model 1822) muskets, and it was common that contractors made the same type until the end of a specific contract.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe musket's 42\" smooth bore barrel still bears inspection proofs of an \u003cstrong\u003e\"Eagle's Head\"\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eP\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eV\u003c\/strong\u003e, surrounding \u003cstrong\u003eLS\u003c\/strong\u003e on the breech end. This indicates inspection by Luther Sage, who was known for inspecting \u003cem\u003e\"R. Johnson, Waters, Whitney, Pomeroy and Starr Muskets\"\u003c\/em\u003e, so it definitely looks to be the original barrel for the lock. We did note that the bore is quite worn, with a bit of deformation at the muzzle, where the bore measures to be around 0.72\"- 0.74\", depending on where measured.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall this is a very interesting patinated example of a Model 1816 Long Musket, with signs of long service in the field both before and after the conversions. The barrel and metalwork show signs of past peppering and light pitting, now mostly cleaned away but leaving a lovely mottled patina. The stock is in good condition, and while modified, it looks great for display, with a lovely color. There is definitely a lot of erosion around the lock area, so it did see a good amount of use. There is a stress crack on the left side of the butt stock, which does not show any movement. There is a lower sling swivel, which we believe is a modern replacement, while there is no upper sling swivel, and the ramrod is a fabricated replacement far thinner than an original. We checked the lock action, and it is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, though it is a bit stiff.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very interesting example of an early American Flintlock Reconverted Musket that would look fantastic as part of any early arms collection. Ready to research and display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1819\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: .69\"- worn to about 0.72-0.74\"\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Ball and Powder\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 42 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 57 1\/4 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Side Action Flintlock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Muzzle Loading\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistory of the Model 1816 Musket:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45330769870917,"sku":"ONJR26MYMF023","price":1395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/12924F0C-87C0-4385-8369-63AE9BD19BD8.jpg?v=1783710929","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-springfield-model-1816-contract-musket-by-lemuel-pomeroy-dated-1819-with-replaced-forestock-flintlock-reconversion","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}