This is a Model 1816 Springfield musket from the Civil War era. The musket was originally a smooth bore .69 caliber flintlock weapon that was converted somewhere between 1848 and 1861. The type of conversion used is know as the "cone in barrel", a Belgian variation of the French system of converting flintlock to percussion weapons. In this style of conversion all external lock parts were removed and all holes in the lock plate plugged. The flashpan was cut off flush with the top of the lockplate. A nipple was added to the barrel and the hammer was replaced to coincide with the new percussion system. This converted musket measures 57 3/4" in length with a 42" barrel. The barrel has a decent bore, needs a good cleaning but is not pitted or heavily rusted. The three grooved rifling is very strong. The exterior of the barrel has moderate pitting at the breech end, mainly around the nipple. The barrel and all three bands have taken on a reddish brown patina. The barrel as the top bayonet lug applied and the front sight is on the rear strap of the double strap front barrel band. The barrel stamps read from breech to muzzle V, eagle head and a P within a circle. The barrel tang is undated. The lockplate, hammer, trigger guard and butt plate all have the same patina as the barrel. The lockplate is marked SPRING/FIELD/1825 behind the hammer and has an eagle over the letters US forward of the hammer. The action is very crisp and the hammer holds both half and full cock. The hammer strikes the original nipple strongly when the trigger is depressed. The trigger guard has rounded finials and is stamped with the letters JT. The rear sling swivel is still on the trigger guard bow, but the front sling swivel is missing. The side plate opposite the lockplate has the letter S stamped into it. The butt plate has the US markings on the tang. The button ramrod is still present and has the threaded portion still intact. The dark walnut stock is in very good condition. There are the usual bumps and dings from normal handling, but no cracks or wood loss. On the top of the wrist behind the barrel tang is an OHIO stamp. The same OHIO stamp appears on the left side of the stock flat just above the trigger. There is also an oval cartouche on the left flat with two initials, but they are hard to read. It looks like the letters EJ. This is a very nice example of an early military musket that could have seen service in the Mexican American war and then been converted for use in the American Civil War. It would make a fine addition to any Civil War long arms collection.

Item # AA868

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