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 1839 dated lock, an 1840 dated barrel, visible remnants of its original flintlock configuration, military inspection markings, and a service matched U.S. marked socket bayonet.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. It is sold as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or evaluated by a professional gunsmith. The mechanical and bore observations below describe only its present condition and do not establish that it is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Large numbers of older U.S. flintlock muskets were altered to percussion during the 1840s and 1850s as the percussion cap system became the preferred military ignition method. Percussion ignition was generally more reliable in damp conditions and easier to operate than the older flintlock system.

This example received the relatively simple conversion commonly called the Belgian or cone in barrel method. A threaded opening was cut directly into the upper barrel breech to accept a percussion cone, or nipple, while the original flintlock hammer was replaced with a percussion hammer positioned to strike it.

The former mounting points for the frizzen and frizzen spring remain visible on the lock plate and have been plugged. Portions of the original brass priming pan also remain present, clearly showing the musket’s earlier flintlock configuration.

The percussion hammer is of the Model 1842 style and appears to have been adjusted to align with the cone’s position on the barrel.

The lock plate bears the correct Federal eagle above:

U.S.

The lock plate tail is marked:

SPRING
FIELD
1839

These markings identify manufacture at the United States Armory at Springfield, Massachusetts.

The musket has the heavier, centrally bulged side plate associated with the Model 1835, or Model 1816 Type III, configuration. Later patterns generally used a flatter side plate without the pronounced central bulge.

The barrel breech retains the proof and inspection markings:

P / Eagle’s Head / V

The barrel tang is clearly dated:

1840

Evidence of another partially removed or overstamped number is also present, but it is no longer legible.

The left side of the stock bears a relatively crisp oval cartouche containing:

TW

The identity of the inspector represented by this marking has not been confirmed.

The right side of the buttstock is crudely carved:

N.Y.A.M.

This may represent a New York military, arsenal, militia, or ownership marking, but its exact meaning has not been established and no supporting documentation accompanies the musket.

The metalwork has an attractive, service used mottled gray and brown patina. Years of oxidation, peppering, pitting, and later cleaning have produced an uneven but well-matured surface.

The oxidation and past pitting are particularly noticeable along the left side, suggesting that the musket may have rested on that side during a period of storage.

Oxidation is relatively consistent along the upper barrel, including the area surrounding the percussion cone. This may indicate limited firing after conversion, though that conclusion cannot be confirmed from surface condition alone.

The percussion cone remains in very good external condition and may have been partially protected from oxidation by the hammer.

The lock operates correctly during careful manual inspection, holding at half cock and releasing from full cock. The mechanism has not been professionally evaluated.

The barrel remains smoothbore and was not rifled. The bore shows substantial fouling and oxidation throughout. No attempt has been made to clean the interior.

A dent is present at the extreme end of the muzzle.

The walnut stock remains in very good service used condition and has developed an attractive brown surface. It shows expected scuffs, scratches, dents, dings, compressed areas, and storage marks.

No major structural cracks, extensive repairs, or evidence of aggressive modern refinishing were observed.

Both sling swivels remain present and movable.

The ramrod stored beneath the barrel is not correct for the musket. It is too short and lacks threading at its narrow end.

The included socket bayonet has a well-matured finish matching the musket’s general appearance. The ricasso is marked:

U.S. / TA

The bayonet fits over the muzzle but does not seat completely because of the dent at the muzzle’s edge. It should therefore be described as an included period bayonet rather than a confirmed original matching bayonet.

Older converted muskets of this type remained in state arsenals and secondary service into the Civil War period, when shortages brought many obsolete and altered arms back into use. This musket is consistent with the type available during that period, but no documentation identifies its issuing unit or confirms Civil War field service.

With its Springfield 1839 lock, 1840 dated barrel, visible cone in barrel percussion conversion, surviving flintlock features, clear military proofs, TW stock cartouche, intriguing N.Y.A.M. carving, original sling swivels, and included U.S. marked socket bayonet, this is an appealing example of an older U.S. military musket adapted for percussion service. The unidentified markings, mottled and cleaned metal, oxidation and pitting, fouled bore, muzzle dent, incorrect ramrod, and bayonet seating issue are fully disclosed. It would display particularly well in a U.S. martial arms, Springfield Armory, flintlock conversion, state militia, percussion musket, or Civil War era weapons collection.

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1839 - 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

Specifications (Bayonet):-

Blade Length: 16 1/2"
Blade Style: Triangular
Socket Length: 3"
Overall length: 19 1/2“

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.