Original Item: Only One Available. 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, and looks to have spent much of its life in storage, probably in an attic or barn somewhere, only recently discovered and brought into the light. Aside from some light cleaning and a wipe down, we have left it as found, preserving the fantastic patina of age. The musket was originally manufactured at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry in 1817, as indicated by markings on the tail of the lock plate:

HARPERS
FERRY
1817

There is also a EAGLE over U.S. marking on the lock plate in front of the hammer, which is a bit faint due to the peppered patina present on the lock plate. There are very faint proof marks visible on the 42" smooth bore barrel, however they are unfortunately not clear enough to read.

This example is in lovely original condition, with a patina of age on the metalwork that would be simply impossible to duplicate. There is light overall corrosion, but no more serious flaking or pit rust. The lock is fully functional, and holds correctly at half-cock, firing at full cock. The wood stock is in great shape with a very nice color, with only minor wear. There is a sliver of wood missing under the lock plate, and also behind the hammer, very common on these old muskets. There do look to be some markings on the left side by the lock screws, but we cannot quite make them out.

The original cleaning rod is still present, though it does show a lot of pit rust, and the upper sling swivel is unfortunately missing. We checked the bore, and is is clear and in good shape, with no major corrosion or powder fouling present, though it is a bit dirty. The "U S" stamping on the butt plate tang is no longer visible.

An very great patinated example of an early stage in the evolution of the U.S. Musket! Totally un messed with and ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1817
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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