This antique U. S. Model 1816 musket was made by the Springfield arsenal and is dated 1826 on the lock plate. Originally issued as a flint lock musket, most of the U. S. Model 1816 and later muskets were converted to percussion and issued for use during the Civil War. The lock, barrel, and steel hardware were originally issued with an armory bright polished finish. The barrel has developed a speckled brown patina. The iron furniture was nickel plated, possibly for color guard use, but most of the plating worn off. The walnut stock has a repaired crack all the way through the wrist. The bore is dark and heavily pitted. An automotive grease insert was used to replace the missing nipple. The sear spring is broken and the lock does not go into the full or half cock notches. This rifle is for display only and cannot be fired. Weight is 9.0 pounds with a 13-3/8" trigger reach.

The .69 caliber smooth bore barrel is 42" from the muzzle to the breech. With well over 170 years of use the bore of the barrel is dark and heavily pitted. The tang of the barrel is stamped with a 1826 date. The view and proof marks at the breech are barely visible due to the textured patina from corrosive antique musket caps. During the conversion to percussion, the vent hole was plugged, and a nipple was installed into the breech end of the barrel. This "Belgian cone in barrel" method was an approved method of altering these muskets to percussion. We note the nipple is missing and an automotive grease insert is fitted. We did not pull this fitting out. Do not attempt to fire the gun in this configuration. No rear sight is fitted, which is a correct detail on a .69 caliber U. S. Musket from this period. Forward three barrel bands hold the barrel to the stock, the rearmost pair of bands are single straps while the front band is a double strap; the brass front sight is attached to the back strap of the forward band. At the muzzle a small lug is installed for attachment of a bayonet.

The top view shows the repaired crack through both sides of the wrist. The crack starts at trigger plate and runs up through the the lock panel before exiting at the tail of the lock and extending back to the comb, before running down the opposite side of the wrist towards the trigger plate. A second repaired crack runs parallel to the first crack on the left side of the wrist. It runs back to the comb and then runs up the center of the wrist to a wood dowel that was inserted when the wrist was repaired. A 4" long repaired crack extends forward from the buttplate on the left side of the buttstock. A 2" long cracks runs forward from the front of the lock plate. The stock was sanded and refinished when the repairs were made. The cartouche marks are faint and barely visible. A significant amount of wood is missing on both sides of the tang. The comb of the buttplate is stamped US just ahead of the screw. The iron furniture was nickel plated during its working life, however most of the plating has worn off. Our bottom view reveals the rounded toe of the walnut stock and the steel triggerguard with worn nickel plating. The front of the triggerguard finial is stamped JBK and the rear sling swivel is mounted to the forward boss of the guard. The front swivel is mounted to a lug on the bottom of the middle barrel band. The metal ramrod easily slides through the barrel bands. A military style steel sideplate is inlet flush into the stock, to accept the two lock bolts. The nickel plated sideplate is stamped with an S inspection mark.

The lock plate is marked US over an eagle. The brass crescent is all that remains of the brass flash pan, removed during the conversion from flint lock to percussion lock. Note the markings also found on the tail of the lock, in three lines it reads SPRING / FIELD / 1826, giving the location and date of its manufacture. The lock has a strong mainspring, but we note the sear spring is broken and the lock will not go into the half or full cock notches.

An interesting Model 1816 musket with conversion to percussion. Post Civil War many of these muskets were sold as military surplus and cut down into shotguns. This example is still full original length and would make a fine addition to an American Civil War display. It is not functional and not safe to fire. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.