This antique U. S. Model 1816 musket was made by the Springfield arsenal and is dated 1839 on the lock plate. Originally issued as a full length flintlock musket, most of the U. S. Model 1816 muskets were converted to percussion and issued for use during the Civil War. This example does not have any government proof marks, or cartouche marks and appears to have been cut down by a private contractor to make a musketoon with shortened barrel. The lock, barrel, and steel hardware were originally issued with an armory bright polished finish, which has aged to a speckled brown gray patina. The walnut stock has many handling marks and small dents, but no cracks. The bore is bright and shootable. The lock has a strong mainspring and functions correctly. Weight is 8.2 pounds with a 13-1/4" trigger reach.
The .69 caliber smooth bore barrel was cut down to 29-1/2", including the breech. The bore measures .691" at the muzzle and is bright, clean, and shootable. The breech end of the barrel is stamped with a P proof mark, which was from the original proof testing. During the conversion to percussion, the breech end of the barrel was cut off and a new percussion breech was fitted. This appears to be a very well done period conversion by a professional contractor. A Springield three leaf rear sight was added when the barrel was shortened, and is mounted 2" ahead of the breech, with two leafs marked for 300 and 500 yards. The leaves would be calibrated for a full length .58 caliber rifled musket. Forward two barrel bands hold the barrel to the stock, the rearmost band is a single strap, while the front band is a double strap; the iron front sight is attached to the front strap of the forward band.
Stocked in walnut, this musketoon has many dents, dings, scratches, and scuff marks, but no visible cracks. The cartouche marks were removed when the musket was refinished during the conversion. The comb of the buttplate is stamped US just ahead of the screw. The iron furniture has developed a speckled brown gray patina. Our bottom view reveals the rounded toe of the walnut stock and the steel triggerguard. The toe of the buttstock is engraved with a previous owner's name in script. The front of the triggerguard finial is stamped SP and the rear sling swivel is mounted to the forward boss of the guard. No front swivel is fitted to the barrel bands. The metal ramrod easily slides through the barrel bands. The ramrod has a jagged slotted tip, rather that the typical period flared end. The front barrel band has a pin hole, but the barrel band spring in that position appear to an inverted middle spring with a pin stud. The front barrel band is pushed against that spring to friction fit. A military style steel sideplate is inlet flush into the stock, to accept the two lock bolts. The sideplate is stamped with an S inspection mark.
The lock plate has plugged holes from when the pan, frizzen, and spring were removed during the conversion from flint lock to percussion lock. Note the markings found on the tail of the lock, in three lines it reads SPRING / FIELD / 1839, giving the location and date of its manufacture. The top of the lock plate is stamped 901 just ahead of the bolster. The lock has a strong mainspring, with secure half and full cock notches. We note the hammer used in the conversion is from a U.S. Model 1863 rifled musket and the tumbler screw does not fully cover the square hole in the hammer. The hammer has a small amount of visible color case hardening. A modern musket nipple is fitted in the bolster, which is well supported by the lock plate.
This Model 1816 Musketoon conversion has a bright shootable bore. It would make a fine addition to an American Civil War collection, or to the reenactor who wants to carry and shoot an original musket. 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.
The .69 caliber smooth bore barrel was cut down to 29-1/2", including the breech. The bore measures .691" at the muzzle and is bright, clean, and shootable. The breech end of the barrel is stamped with a P proof mark, which was from the original proof testing. During the conversion to percussion, the breech end of the barrel was cut off and a new percussion breech was fitted. This appears to be a very well done period conversion by a professional contractor. A Springield three leaf rear sight was added when the barrel was shortened, and is mounted 2" ahead of the breech, with two leafs marked for 300 and 500 yards. The leaves would be calibrated for a full length .58 caliber rifled musket. Forward two barrel bands hold the barrel to the stock, the rearmost band is a single strap, while the front band is a double strap; the iron front sight is attached to the front strap of the forward band.
Stocked in walnut, this musketoon has many dents, dings, scratches, and scuff marks, but no visible cracks. The cartouche marks were removed when the musket was refinished during the conversion. The comb of the buttplate is stamped US just ahead of the screw. The iron furniture has developed a speckled brown gray patina. Our bottom view reveals the rounded toe of the walnut stock and the steel triggerguard. The toe of the buttstock is engraved with a previous owner's name in script. The front of the triggerguard finial is stamped SP and the rear sling swivel is mounted to the forward boss of the guard. No front swivel is fitted to the barrel bands. The metal ramrod easily slides through the barrel bands. The ramrod has a jagged slotted tip, rather that the typical period flared end. The front barrel band has a pin hole, but the barrel band spring in that position appear to an inverted middle spring with a pin stud. The front barrel band is pushed against that spring to friction fit. A military style steel sideplate is inlet flush into the stock, to accept the two lock bolts. The sideplate is stamped with an S inspection mark.
The lock plate has plugged holes from when the pan, frizzen, and spring were removed during the conversion from flint lock to percussion lock. Note the markings found on the tail of the lock, in three lines it reads SPRING / FIELD / 1839, giving the location and date of its manufacture. The top of the lock plate is stamped 901 just ahead of the bolster. The lock has a strong mainspring, with secure half and full cock notches. We note the hammer used in the conversion is from a U.S. Model 1863 rifled musket and the tumbler screw does not fully cover the square hole in the hammer. The hammer has a small amount of visible color case hardening. A modern musket nipple is fitted in the bolster, which is well supported by the lock plate.
This Model 1816 Musketoon conversion has a bright shootable bore. It would make a fine addition to an American Civil War collection, or to the reenactor who wants to carry and shoot an original musket. 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.
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