Original item: One of a Kind. The Model 1795 was the first musket to be produced in the United States by Springfield and Harper's Ferry Arsenals, as well as contractor Eli Whitney. It was based heavily on the Charleville musket, Model 1763/66, which had been imported in large numbers from the French during the American Revolution, and which at the time comprised the largest number of muskets in U.S. arsenals at about 20,000 muskets. The Model 1795 was used in the War of 1812, after which shortcomings in both the design and manufacturing process of the Model 1795 led to the development of the Model 1812 Musket at Springfield only, and eventually the Model 1816 Musket muskets at both armories.

However, there were several incremental changes undertaken at Harpers Ferry with the Model 1795, sometimes referred to as the "Charleville Type". The third of these, the "Type III", was manufactured from 1812 to 1816, before being officially supplanted by the Model 1816. There were additionally several other sub-models as well, often made for state and/or local militias. Later on, many U.S. Flintlock muskets were converted to Percussion, both at local and national level, as it was a far more reliable ignition system, which also took less time to load, however this example is still offered in the original flintlock configuration, with no signs of modification. Additionally, this musket was inspected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, who stamped C P on both the barrel and stock, indicating it was issued to the Pennsylvania Militia. Definitely a great early musket with lots of history!

Here we offer a remarkable U.S. Charleville Type III .69 Caliber Flintlock Infantry Musket marked with a Federal Eagle bearing a US marking on a shield over the breast area, with the following on the lock plate tail:

HARPERS
FERRY
1812

Many of the muskets from this era were contract made, but this example was made at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry itself, located in what was then the Commonwealth of Virginia. The lock plate is still in great shape, showing just a bit of peppering, and the markings are all still crisp. We checked the action, and it is still fully functional, holding correctly at half cock, an firing at full.

The barrel length is 45 inches, which is a bit different from the later models. There was no official specification of barrel length for the Charleville Type muskets, so the lengths varied from roughly 42 to 45 inches. As is correct there is no rear sight, with a brass front side on the nose cap / muzzle fitting. The barrel breech has the correct proof marks of US in an oval and a P over an Eagle's Head in an oval on the left side of the barrel. These markings had been introduced in 1799, replacing the earlier "Liberty Cap" marking. There is no date on the barrel breech, but there is the C P marking from Pennsylvania on the far left side of the barrel.

The let side of the stock has an additional C P marking, and also has a very stylized V / J S script marking closer to the side plate, probably indicating that inspector "JS" viewed it. There is also a stamped V / M H marking farther to the left towards the butt stock. The "JS" marking is identical to a similar example of this model musket that we found online, which is dated 1814, and also has Pennsylvania Militia inspection markings. Definitely some great research potential here!

The musket was quite dirty when we received it, so it was gently cleaned and restored by our expert antique gunsmiths to put it in its best light. The metalwork now displays a lovely gray patina, showing some evidence of light past peppering, now removed. The markings on the lock and barrel are still crisp, and all components are still present. We checked the bore, and it is clear, with a bit of dirt and fouling, but no major corrosion we can see. The musket still has both sling swivels, and it does some with a ramrod, but it most likely is a 19th century arsenal replacement. The stock is in great shape, showing no major damage, and has a lovely color. There is some wood missing along the ramrod channel on the bottom, which is fairly typical.

This musket may well have seen service against the British in the War of 1812. Now fully cleaned and in a great display condition it is ready to join another U.S. Martial Collection. Chances to own such a nice example of U.S. History do not come by often. This wonderful musket is ready to display!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: 1812
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 45 Inches
Overall Length: 60 Inches
Action type: Side Action Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

History of the Model 1795 Musket:

The Springfield Model 1795 Musket was a .69 caliber flintlock musket manufactured in the late 18th century and early 19th century at both the Springfield and Harper's Ferry U.S. Armories.

The Model 1795 a very elongated musket, retained many of the characteristics of the Charleville on which it was based. It had a 44 inches (110 cm) long .69 caliber barrel, a 56 inches (140 cm) stock, and a total length of 60 inches (150 cm). The original version had the bayonet lug on the bottom of the barrel but this was later moved to the top. Minor changes were made throughout production inclusive of a shorter barrel length of 42 inches (110 cm) on the later Harper's Ferry weapons. Barrels of Harper's Ferry 1795s were serial numbered up to some point in 1812: Springfield Model 1795's were never serial numbered. Springfield began the Model 1812 improvements in 1814, but Harper's Ferry continued on with the production of the Model 1795 until at least 1819 (early 1819 examples still used the M1795 lockplate) and never produced the Model 1812. Eventually, both armories incorporated improvements into the Model 1816 flintlock which were after a few years virtually identical. Most, but not all, parts will interchange on the Model 1816 muskets but the hand-crafted parts, and lack of set standards and patterns on the earlier Model 1795 weapons often means parts will not interchange easily.

Typical of smoothbore muskets, the M1795 had an effective range of about 50 yards (46 m) to 75 yards (69 m). The Model 1795 fired a smaller round than the British .75 caliber Brown Bess, but the Model 1795 also had both a slightly longer range and slightly better accuracy than the Brown Bess musket. This gave the American forces an advantage of range when they faced British forces in the War of 1812.

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.

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.