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. This example was converted during this time, with a new breech added onto the barrel, which most likely had a built in cap bolster. An adjustable rear sight was added, which fit into a dovetail and was secured by a screw in the front, similar to H&P percussion conversions. However at some point after that, it was reconverted back to flintlock, the bolster ground off, and a new touch hole drilled. The lock plate looks like it may have been modified a bit during the original percussion conversion, so the brass flash pan does not quite line up. The rear sight was also removed and the holes filled.

This musket was contractor produced, marked under the brass powder pan with a Federal Eagle over L. POMEROY. It is additionally marked with 1830 / U S 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. 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.

Overall this is a very nice 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 lovely condition, showing a fantastic red brown color, only possible on aged and oiled walnut. It shows some wear and denting, as well as staining around the iron fittings from rust and moisture. There are also chunks missing on the sides of the ramrod channel, particularly near the muzzle. Both sling swivels are present and move easily, and the original cleaning rod still has threads on the end. We checked the lock action, and it is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full, though it is a bit stiff.

A lovely patinated example of an early American Flintlock Reconverted Musket that would look fantastic as part of any early arms collection. Ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1830
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 42 Inches
Overall Length: 57 5/8 Inches
Action type: Side Action Flintlock
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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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.