Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Model 1835 flintlock musket, also commonly classified as the Model 1816 Type III, manufactured at Springfield Armory and later altered to percussion using a cone in barrel conversion. It retains an 1838 dated lock and barrel, visible remnants of its original flintlock configuration, and military inspection markings.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

During the percussion era, many older U.S. flintlock muskets were converted to the more weather resistant percussion ignition system. On this example, a percussion cone was installed directly into the barrel in the style commonly called a cone in barrel or “Belgian” conversion. The original frizzen and frizzen spring mounting points remain visible and have been plugged, while remnants of the original brass priming pan can still be seen on the lock plate. The hammer is an altered percussion type shaped to reach the repositioned cone.

The lock plate is marked with the Federal eagle over U.S. forward of the hammer and on the tail:

SPRING
FIELD
1838

The barrel tang is likewise dated:

1838

and the breech retains visible:

P / Eagle's Head / V

proof markings. The left side of the stock near the lock bevel carries a worn oval script:

TW

cartouche attributed to ordnance sub-inspector Thomas Warner. Behind the tang of the trigger guard is what looks like an "FNW" stamp, and behind this is an oval script

AH

 cartouche, the mark of Springfield Master Armorer Asahel Hubbard.

The musket retains the heavier bulged side plate associated with the Model 1835 / Model 1816 Type III pattern. The metalwork has an attractive aged patina from old oxidation and subsequent cleaning, with the barrel now largely brown and some brighter protected areas remaining near the wood line. There is relatively little concentrated powder residue corrosion around the percussion cone and altered lock area.

The cone itself remains in place and shows age and wear. The lock presently functions well, holding at half cock and releasing at full cock. The bore remains smoothbore rather than having been rifled later and shows old fouling and oxidation. These observations describe only the musket’s present mechanical and bore condition and are not an indication that it is safe to load or fire.

The walnut stock remains in very good overall condition with a deep brown finish, normal scuffs, dents, and handling marks, and relatively sharp surviving bevel geometry. There is a crack running from the lower lock screw toward the breech and another crack at the front of the lock plate, but no major stock repairs are noted. The initials:

J I

have been crudely carved into the left side of the stock below the lock hardware near the inspection cartouche.

Both sling swivels remain present and movable. The cleaning rod beneath the barrel is not correct for the musket and should be considered a replacement.

With its matching 1838 lock and barrel dates, surviving Springfield markings, cone in barrel percussion conversion, visible remnants of the original flintlock system, Thomas Warner attributed cartouche, and original smoothbore configuration, this is a strong antebellum U.S. martial musket with clear evidence of later percussion modernization. The stock cracks, carved initials, oxidized and cleaned metalwork, worn cone, fouled bore, and replacement cleaning rod are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Springfield Armory, Model 1835 / Model 1816 Type III, percussion conversion, antebellum U.S. martial arms, or Civil War era long gun collection.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1838 - converted later
Maker: United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield
Model: 1835 Musket (1816 Type III)
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
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

History of the Model 1835 Musket:

The U.S. Model 1835 Musket was a .69 caliber smoothbore flintlock, with a 42-inch barrel and an overall length of 58 inches. It replaced the previous Model 1822 musket (Type II), and often is viewed as a further development of that design, designated the Type III. It was really only an incremental change, and many differences involved how the musket was produced, rather than the actual design. The emphasis was on making some interchangeable parts, and to use more accurate manufacturing methods. This paved the way for the later model of 1842, the first U.S. musket to have fully interchangeable parts.

The Model 1835 was produced by the Springfield Armory, Harpers Ferry Armory, and numerous other contractors. It was eventually superseded by the model 1840 and 1842 muskets, the former of which was originally made in Flintlock, but most were converted to percussion before they made it to the field. The 1842 was only made in percussion.

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.