Original item: One of a Kind. This is a very early American Model 1808 Flintlock Musket, which has had a long and interesting service history, apparently converted to percussion during the Civil War era, and also shortened to approximately artillery-musket length.

The musket was originally made very much in the style of the Model 1795 patterned not long after the end of the U.S. Revolution. At the time the Arsenal and Armory at Springfield was still relatively small, so due to this there were often contracts issued for this and later muskets. In 1808, the U.S. Government had issued contracts to numerous gunmakers active at the time, nineteen in total, and very few of these remain today. In fact there are no known examples by some makers, partly due to the fact that some of the 1808 muskets did not have any maker markings on their lock plates. There is a great PDF article at the American Society of Arms Collectors detailing the various makers and markings used in this contract: 1808 United States Contract Muskets.

This example of a Model 1808 Contract musket features the correct flat lock plate with a pointed tail, which has a Federal Eagle over US in an oval in the center. We have had both marked and unmarked examples, and this example is marked on the lock plate as follows:

JENKS's
RI
1812

This is the correct marking for Steven Jenks & Sons of Providence, RI, who were contracted for 4,000 Model 1808 muskets by the Government, eventually delivering 3,925. We have compared the markings and style of the remaining band spring, which is very thin, with other examples, and it is definitely a match. The barrel has the correct US proof mark over an Eagle Head / CT proof, with a V proof below that. There is some debate, but it is generally accepted that the "CT" is for "Contract", which explains why muskets made in various different states have this marking.

After production the musket was sent to a state arsenal, and saw long service, as evidenced by the condition, and was at some point both converted to percussion as well as shortened by about 12 inches to "artillery musket length. The lock plate was altered by having the frizzen and associated hardware removed, and the holes were plugged. The flash pan on these were iron, not a separate brass piece as with later examples, so it was ground away, leaving a bit of the guard on the back. A Confederate-style "drum" bolster was installed on the barrel, and a crudely made percussion hammer was installed, which bears a strong resemblance to known Confederate used examples.

The musket's mounts are all of iron, as is correct for the pattern, and now only retains the lower barrel band, with the middle band removed. The fore stock was also shortened quite a bit more than required, so the nose cap is over 9 inches from the muzzle, and does not have any retaining spring. The stock is quite cracked in that area, so it may have originally been longer after shortening, but then cracked. Overall the metalwork has a matured patina, with wear and oxidation commensurate with over 200 years of age and long service. The lock is fully functional, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full.

The stock is in good condition and has a lovely color, only achieved after many long years. There is some cracking near the rear lock screw, and as previously mentioned the fore stock area has cracks, as well as some missing wood next to the barrel. The sling swivel bolster by the trigger guard was ground off long ago, and the middle barrel band is missing, so there is no upper swivel. There is a ramrod mounted under the barrel, but we do not believe that it is original to the musket, though it does show quite a bit of age and patination.

This is a scarce surviving U.S. Model 1808 contract musket by Steven Jenks & Sons, retaining its dated lock markings and government proof marks despite extensive later alteration. The drum percussion conversion, replacement hammer, shortened barrel and fore stock, missing middle band, structural cracking, and other modifications are all plainly evident and reflect a long period of use and repair. The conversion is consistent with work encountered on arms altered during the Civil War era, including some associated with Confederate use, although no documented service history accompanies this musket. Its identifiable maker, early contract manufacture, and heavily modified service configuration give it considerable historical and collector interest.

Specifications:-
Year of Manufacture: 1812
Maker: S. Jenks & Sons - Confederate Style Modified
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 32 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 47 1/4 Inches
Action type: Side Action Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

History of the Model 1795 Musket:

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.

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.