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 remarkable well cared for U.S. M-1812 .69 Caliber Flintlock Infantry Musket, which has had the metalwork struck bright from decades of cleaning. The flat lock plate is marked with the correct U.S. over a faint 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 1814, and testing the lock shows that it holds correctly at half cock, firing at full. It can however take some effort to get the hammer to full cock, and it fires a bit sluggishly.

The barrel breech area does show powder burn around the touch hole, and the pan also shows some oxidation. However, the left side of the barrel is still in great shape, and bears the correct P over an Eagle's Head over V, the standard proof marks of the time, first instituted in 1799, replacing the earlier "Liberty Cap" marking. There is also an 1814 present on the tang of the butt plate, correct for this era of manufacture.

The musket measures 59 1/8 inches in overall length, with a barrel 43 1/2 inches long, and comes complete with an original ramrod, however it looks to be period replacement. This is a bit longer than the "official" length, however this early in production there was significant variance in the length and specifications. The bore is closer to .705" than to .69", so it definitely did see a good 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 lovely bright finish on the metalwork and a great polished finish on the walnut stock. There are the usual dents and dings one would expect from service, but no repairs or major damage. There are some stress cracks near the rear of the lock and near the rear lock screw, both common places for these to occur.

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

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1814
Caliber: originally .69" - now about .705"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 43 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 59 1/8 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.