Contract Model 1816 Musket by Johnson with H&P Percussion Conversion
Item #: AA3498
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This is a Model 1816 contract musket from the Civil War era. The musket was originally a smooth bore .69 caliber flintlock weapon that was converted under government contract by Hewes & Phillips of Newark, New Jersey in 1862. Robert & John Johnson The Johnsons contracted with the federal government on 10 December, 1823 for 3000 Model 1817 musket to be delivered at a rate of 600 per year beginning 1 July, 1824. In July of 1829 the contract was amended to 600 Model 1816 muskets. This musket is from that contract, being one of only 600 produced between 1829 and 1834. During the Civil War many of the Model 1816 muskets were converted from flintlock to percussion. Hewes & Phillips converted approximately 20,000 muskets. This example is one of H&P's later conversions, with no clean out screw on a flat sided bolster. This converted musket measures 58" in length with a 42" barrel. The barrel has a bright bore with no pitting or rust visible with a bore light and gauges out at .70 caliber. The exterior of the barrel has a smooth, pit free surface. The once National Bright finish of the barrel now exhibits a reddish brown patina, with many areas of the original finish showing through. The three barrel bands have a matching reddish brown patina. The barrel has the top bayonet lug applied, the front sight is on the forward strap of the double strap front barrel band. A two leaf rear sight has been added forward of the bolster and marked 3 and 5. The only stamps on the barrel is the date of 1862, on the barrel tang and the letters H&P, for Hewes & Phillips, on the flat side of the bolster. The lockplate, hammer, trigger guard and butt plate all have the same patina as the barrel and bands. The lockplate is marked US over an eagle and JOHNSON in an arc forward of the hammer and the date of 1830 and MIDDn CONN in an arc behind the hammer. The action is very crisp and the hammer holds both half and full cock. The hammer strikes the nipple strongly when the trigger is depressed. The trigger guard has rounded finials. The rear sling swivel is still on the trigger guard bow, the front sling swivel on the middle barrel band. The side plate opposite the lockplate is unmarked. 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 good condition. There are the usual bumps and dings from normal handling, and shows no stress cracks or major areas of wood loss. The barrel channel still shows pretty sharp edges. There are two oval cartouches on the left stock flat, but they are well worn and I cannot make out any initials. This is a very nice example of a rare early contract 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 US military long arms collection.
Shipping Weight:
9 lbs
Item # AA3498
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