{"product_id":"original-u-s-war-of-1812-springfield-model-1795-type-iv-69-caliber-musket-percussion-converted-lock-dated-1812-and-butt-plate-dated-1813","title":"Original U.S. War of 1812 Springfield Model 1795 Type IV .69 Caliber Musket, Percussion Converted, Lock Dated 1812 and Butt Plate Dated 1813","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. Springfield Model 1795 Type IV .69 caliber infantry musket made at Springfield Arsenal, retaining an \u003cstrong\u003e1812\u003c\/strong\u003e dated lock plate and \u003cstrong\u003e1813\u003c\/strong\u003e dated butt plate tang. Originally manufactured as a flintlock, it was later converted to percussion using the simple cone in barrel method and subsequently saw extensive service. The musket retains strong early Federal period character, along with the wear, repairs, and modifications expected from more than two centuries of use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Model 1795 was the first standardized U.S. military musket produced at the Federal armories and was heavily influenced by the French Charleville pattern arms used during the American Revolution. It remained in service into the War of 1812 period before later U.S. musket patterns superseded it. There were several different types observed during the period, and while the Model 1812 started being produced at Springfield Arsenal, Harpers ferry continued to make Model 1795 muskets until the Model 1816 was patterned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the 1850s, many of the Flintlock Muskets in Arsenal were converted to Percussion, which was a much more reliable and water-resistant ignition system. This involved all variants of the Model of the 1816, and helped to standardize the types of ammunition carried by the soldiers in the field. The easiest conversion type, often referred to as the “Belgian” style conversion, was to simply tap a threaded hole in the top of the breach of the barrel to permit the fitting of a percussion cone (aka “nipple”). The lock had the frizzen and other external parts removed, and the pan mostly cut off. Many of these were then used during the Civil War by local militias, especially in the South, which did not have the same industrial capacity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example still has the remnants of the iron pan intact on the top of the lock plate, confirming that it is a Model 1795, and not the later 1812, which had a brass pan. The musket originally manufactured at the \u003cem\u003eUnited States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield\u003c\/em\u003e itself, as indicated on lock plate:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ccenter\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e(Federal Eagle)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSPRINGFIELD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/center\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \"US\" is the correct script version used at the time, and the arsenal name is in an arc below. The tail of the lock plate is dated \u003cstrong\u003e1812\u003c\/strong\u003e, and there is additionally an \u003cstrong\u003e1813\u003c\/strong\u003e date on the tang of the butt plate. At the time there was a lot of changes in how U.S. martial firearms were marked, and the date on the butt plate is consistent with this period. The barrel breech is marked on the left side:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eP\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEagle's Head\u003cbr\u003eV\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese proof and inspection marks are consistent with Federal musket production of the period. They had been introduced in 1799, replacing the earlier \"Liberty Cap\" marking. The musket is 56 1\/2 inches in overall length with a 42 inch barrel, consistent with dimensions observed when the Model 1795 was in the final years of production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe metalwork shows evidence of past cleaning to remove dirt and oxidation, which has made the geometry on some fittings a bit soft compared to when new. The barrel displays a lightly oxidized patina, and was probably cleaned bright at some point decades ago, after which it was allowed to mature naturally. The lock plate and all the fittings are in similar condition. There is heavy powder residue corrosion around the cap nipple cone, particularly on the right side, and it is possible that some of this is from before the percussion conversion, as the nipple cone shows much less corrosion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe musket retains no rear sight, as is correct for the pattern, and has a brass front sight mounted at the forward barrel band and nose cap area. Both sling swivels are present, and there is a correct ramrod under the barrel, which has intact threads on the narrow end. It has had a slot added to the front area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lock presently functions correctly, holding at half cock and releasing only at full. The bore is clear but shows old fouling, oxidation, and some dirt. The muzzle currently measures approximately .715\", indicating substantial wear from long use. These observations describe only the musket’s present mechanical and bore condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe American black walnut stock is in very good condition, and has an attractive aged red brown color with an old oiled finish. It shows the expected dents, dings, scratches, and handling wear from more than two centuries of use and storage, and the often encountered crack running from the rear lock screw to the breech. There is a hole communicating to the ramrod channel about 2 inches forward of the trigger guard, and some damage to the left of the lower sling swivel bolster where the ramrod looks to have partially broken through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its 1812 dated Springfield lock, 1813 dated butt plate tang, surviving remnants of the original iron flint pan, Federal P \/ Eagle's Head \/ V barrel proofs, 42\" barrel, correct sling fittings, ramrod, and percussion conversion, this is a compelling surviving Model 1795 Type IV musket from the War of 1812 era. The enlarged and fouled bore, powder erosion, past metal cleaning, stock crack, ramrod channel damage, and later percussion conversion are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in a Model 1795, Springfield Arsenal, War of 1812, early U.S. martial arms, or advanced Federal period firearms collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear of Manufacture: 1812 - 1813\u003cbr\u003eMaker: United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield\u003cbr\u003eModel: 1795 Type IV Musket\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: 0.69\" - worn to 0.715\"\u003cbr\u003eCartridge Type: Ball and Powder\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 42 Inches\u003cbr\u003eOverall Length: 56 1\/2 Inches\u003cbr\u003eAction type: Side Action Flintlock\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Muzzle Loading\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistory of the Model 1795 Musket:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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. It was the first musket to be produced in the United States by both Federal armories, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTypical 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45777181278277,"sku":"ONJR26AURA10","price":1595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR26AURA10.jpg?v=1789583953","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-war-of-1812-springfield-model-1795-type-iv-69-caliber-musket-percussion-converted-lock-dated-1812-and-butt-plate-dated-1813","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}