Original Item: Only One Available. The Springfield Model 1812 Musket was a .69 caliber, flintlock musket designed and manufactured by the Springfield Armory. In the years after the War of 1812, due to deficiencies perceived in the model 1795, the U.S. wanted them quickly replaced, and so also contracted out various orders to gun manufacturers of the time. This example however was made at the Government arsenal in Springfield Massachusetts.

Here we offer a lovely patinated U.S. M-1812 .69 Caliber Flintlock Infantry Musket, which looks to have seen long use in the past, and then was tastefully cleaned.. The flat lock plate is marked with the correct U.S. over a crisp Federal Eagle, with SPRINGFIELD in an arc below. Many of these were contract made, but this example was made at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield itself, located in Springfield Massachusetts. The lock plate tail is marked clearly with the date 1812, and testing the lock shows will fire at both half and full cock due to wear on the tumbler. The barrel breech area does show powder burn around the touch hole, and the pan also shows some oxidation. Past oxidation and cleaning have unfortunately removed any markings that were present on the breech area, however there is still an 1812 present on the tang of the butt plate, correct for this era of manufacture. The musket measures 56 1/2 inches in overall length, with a barrel 42 inches long, and comes complete with an original ramrod, however it looks to be period replacement. The bore is closer to .72" than to .69", so it definitely did see a substantial amount of use.

This example has been fully cleaned and put into excellent display condition. The condition of this musket is very good, showing a very nice patinated finish on the metalwork, with areas of past peppering and pitting visible in many areas. The walnut stock has been cleaned and waxed to look its best. It does show the expected dents and dings from long service, and there are repaired cracks on both sides of the stock near the lock area and wrist. We can also see some past repairs as well. There are some stress cracks near the rear of the lock and near the rear lock screw, both common places for these to occur. The upper sling swivel is present, however the lower one is missing.

An early Flintlock Musket that can fit into any advanced U.S. Martial Collection in just lovely service used condition and ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1812
Caliber: originally .69" - now about .72"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 42 Inches
Overall Length: 56 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

History of the Model 1812 Musket:

The War of 1812 revealed many weaknesses in the earlier Model 1795 Musket. The Model 1812 was an attempt to improve both the design and manufacturing process of the musket. The design borrowed heavily from the French Charleville model 1777 musket. The Springfield Model 1812 musket arrived too late to be of use in the War of 1812 but would later become standard issue to regular infantry and militia units.

The Model 1812 was a .69 caliber smoothbore musket, with a 42-inch (107 cm) barrel and a 54-inch (137 cm) stock, and a total length of 57-inch (145 cm). The Model 1812 was produced only at Springfield: the M1795 would continue in production at Harpers Ferry into 1818.

The Model 1812 was produced in a quantity of almost 30,000 between the years 1814 and 1816. It was replaced by the Model 1816 Musket. However, the Model 1812 remained in service for many years, and was even used in the American Civil War, mostly by the Confederate forces. By the start of the Civil war, the weapon was considered to be old and obsolete but was needed to fill arms shortages.

Some Model 1812 muskets were later converted to percussion lock firing mechanisms. The percussion cap system was much more reliable and weatherproof than the flintlock system used on the Model 1812 in its original configuration.

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.