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ОглавлениеCHAPTER 1 MUSKETS
I n terms of Civil War weaponry, a “musket” is any smoothbore, muzzle-loading shoulder arm of a minimum length of 50? that was made to support a bayonet. That is to say, “the standard weapon carried by the world’s infantry in the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries.”
By 1861, the musket was an antiquated weapon. In the decade prior, many of the major world armies, including that of the United States, had adopted rifled weapons. Rifled muskets, rifle-muskets, rifles, and rifled carbines were changing the way war was fought.
As rifled weapons reached the troops, hundreds of thousands of smoothbore muskets were relegated to arsenal gun racks. When buyers for the Union and Confederacy searched, the world’s governments were eager to sell the obsolete muskets. With few alternatives, the buyers reluctantly snatched up the stocks hoping that armories back in the States (whether United or Confederate) would be able to rifle the weapons before issuing them to the troops. Whereas this did happen, it was the exception more than the rule.
The same process occurred in the United States. Government and state armories were full of obsolete muskets, some dating back to the War of 1812. On November 12, 1859, Colonel of Ordnance H.K. Craig stated that 23,894 flintlock muskets were still unaltered and in the possession of the United States armories and arsenals. Two months later, he reported 499,554 .69-caliber percussion muskets and muskets altered to percussion were on hand and suitable for service. However, of that number, 60,878 muskets and rifles were in arsenals in South Carolina, Alabama, and Louisiana, and would be lost if the southern states decided to seize them. At that time, the U.S. arsenals reported little more than 35,000 rifled weapons on hand.
Work had been in progress to convert the smoothbores to rifled weapons and flintlock ignitions to percussion, but that work had proceeded rather slowly. Desperate for arms, many states sent their troops off to war armed with whatever weapons they had.
However, by 1863, manufacturing in the north was closing in on meeting demand. Troops who had entered the war with old, state-provided smoothbores or received sub-standard European arms began to receive new issues of rifle-muskets. In the South, where demand out-paced supply, this transition took a bit longer. Nevertheless, the smoothbore musket is best quantified as an “early war weapon.”
AUSTRIAN MODEL 1842, .70 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Made by Austrian National Armory and private gun manufactories, ca. 1842-1849 Total imported: Unknown, but more than 135,000.
Overall length: 58".
Muzzleloader, single shot.
Markings are uncommon. Each lock plate was stamped with a small Austrian eagle and the year of manufacture (with the first digit omitted, e.g., “843”). A few examples have the year of manufacture stamped on the barrel near the breech in addition to “IB” in an oval. Some arms bear the mark of a private manufacturer, “RS Heretta”.
Originally fitted with a tube-lock ignition system developed in Austria, the three-band, Model 1842 muskets were produced as smoothbores. All iron furniture was left bright. Later, many were rifled to fire a conical bullet. The U.S. Ordnance Department purchased approximately 68,500 Model 1842 muskets in various configurations. Conversions from the original tube-lock include a U.S. cone seated in the barrel, bolster or cone seat brazed on the breech, patent breech with forged bolster, or a U.S. Maynard conversion style. The firm of Kruse, Drexel and Schmidt supplied 25,000 in the original tube-lock configuration to General John Frémont. Herman Boker imported two shorter versions: A cadet model that was 52-1/2" overall and an engineer model measuring 48-1/2". It is unknown how many Model 1842 muskets the Confederate government purchased, though it was, most likely, a weapon utilized by southern troops.
| GOOD–$375 | FINE–$1,250 |
Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc.
BRITISH PATTERN 1839 MUSKET, .75 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Rock Island Auction Company
Made by various English manufactures, London, England, 1839-1851 Total imported: Unknown, but likely more than 10,000.
Overall length: 55".
Muzzleloader, single shot.
Lock plates vary dependant on year of manufacture. Generally, the lock plate will be stamped with a crown over “VR,” the British “broad arrow” and the year of manufacture in addition to “Enfield” or “Tower,” depending on place of manufacture. Barrels are stamped with either the Enfield proof mark, a crown over “VR” or “MR” above a set of crowned scepters or the London and Birmingham mark consisting of a crown over “TP” over a broad arrow in addition to a crown over “B” surmounting a “7” over a crowned broad arrow.
Originally designed as a flintlock musket, the P39 musket can be recognized by the three round pins and upper swivel screw that retain the barrel to the stock. The P39 was produced without a rear sight, though several examples clearly have had sights added. Though records do not specifically indicate pattern models, it is very likely that both Confederate and U.S. Ordnance purchasing agents obtained P39 muskets.
| GOOD–$920 | FINE–$1,350 |
BRITISH PATTERN 1842 MUSKET, .76 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Made by various English manufactures, London, England, 1842-1855. Total imported: Unknown, but likely several thousand.
Overall length: 55".
Muzzleloader, single shot.
Lock plates vary depending on year of manufacture. Generally, the lock plate will be stamped with a crown over “VR”, the British “broad arrow” and the year of manufacture in addition to “Enfield” or “Tower”, depending on place of manufacture. Barrels are stamped with either the Enfield proof mark, a crown over “VR” or “MR” above a set of crowned scepters or the London and Birmingham mark consisting of a crown over “TP” over a broad arrow in addition to a crown over “B” surmounting a “7” over a crowned broad arrow.
The P42 musket can be recognized by the three flat keys and upper swivel screw that retain the barrel to the stock. The P42 was produced with a notched rear sight. The ramrod head is slightly concave. Rather than a side plate like that found on the P39, the lock plate screws pass through two brass washers with rectangular extensions on opposite sides. Though records do not specifically indicate pattern models, it is very likely that both Confederate and U.S. Ordnance purchasing agents obtained P39 muskets.
| GOOD–$950 | FINE–$1,350 |
CONFEDERATE CONTRACT PERCUSSION CONVERSIONS
Converted by various gunsmiths, Richmond, Virginia, 1861. Total production: 50,000.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
In 1861, the Commonwealth of Virginia contracted six Richmond gunsmiths to convert approximately 50,000 flintlock muskets: S.B. Cocke, Thomas Addams Jr., Francis Perpignon, Samuel C. Robinson, Samuel Sutherland, and the Union Manufacturing Company. The contractors all employed the brazed bolster configuration.
James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
Confederate Brazed Bolster, Type I. Percussion bolster brazed over the flintlock vent. An iron plug blocks the hole drilled through the bolster to connect the cone hole to the old vent hole.
James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
Confederate Brazed Bolster, Type II. Percussion bolster brazed over the flintlock vent. A screw blocks the hole drilled through the bolster connect the cone hole to the old vent hole.
The “Confederate brazed bolsters” do not add significantly to the value of the particular converted musket. For values, refer to the particular type of weapon.
U.S. MUSKET, .69 CALIBER, CONTRACT CONVERSIONSTO PERCUSSION IGNITION
W hen the U.S. Ordnance Department determined to convert its firearms from flintlock to percussion ignition systems in the 1840s, it had 600,000 muskets deemed suitable for altering to percussion. Many of those muskets were converted from the late 1840s until the beginning of the Civil War, using three basic systems:
James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
The French-style (or side-lug, or drum-and-nipple).
This was the earliest type of conversion and was performed by private contractors until the early 1850s. All exposed lock parts were removed, the flash pan cut and ground off almost flush with the lock plate, the touch hole enlarged, and screw holes plugged. A cylindrical bolster and nipple was screwed into the touch hole and a new hammer installed.
| GOOD–$700 | FINE–$1,300 |
James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
Virginia cone-in-barrel contract conversion. James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
New York State Hitchcock contract cone-in-barrel conversion.
The Belgian-style (or cone-type). This conversion, performed insofar as is known by only the national armories in the early 1850s, involved removing all exposed lock components, filling screw holes, and removing the pan and filling the resulting hole with brass, flush with the lock plate surface. A nipple was screwed into a threaded hole near the top of the barrel, slightly right of center, and a new hammer installed.
| GOOD–$700 | FINE–$1,300 |
Hewes & Phillips style of bolster conversion. James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
New Jersey Patent Breech (Type I) bolster alteration. James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
New Jersey Patent Breech (Type II) bolster alteration. James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
Leman Pennsylvania contract bolster conversion. James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
Butterfield Pennsylvania contract bolster conversion. James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Main
Virginia Manufactory bolster conversion. James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
U.S. Contract patent breech. Rock Island Auction Company
The bolster-style. Private contractors carried out this conversion, which was deemed necessary to structurally strengthen muskets converted to rifled muskets, from around the mid-1850s to the early months of the Civil War. All external parts were removed from the lock, and holes filled. Two variations then occurred: the barrel was cut off near the breech, the bore was threaded, and a new breech with integral nipple bolster was screwed in; or, a bolster was brazed over the touch hole. A new hammer completed the alteration.
| GOOD–$700 | FINE–$1,300 |
FRENCH MODEL 1822 MUSKET, .69/.71 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Made by royal arsenals at Tylle, Charleville, Mutzig and St. Etienne and copied by Liege manufacturers, ca. 1822-ca. 1842. Total imported: Unknown, but Union records show over 147,000 French and Belgium muskets were purchased.
Overall length: Type Type I, 58"
Type II, 55-4/5".
Muzzleloader, single shot.
Lock plate markings reflect arsenals where manufactured. The barrel tang is engraved with the model designation, “M 1822” and year of manufacture. Liege-made examples have only the year of manufacture proof marks. A “T” will follow the model number on weapons altered in French arsenals. French barrels may also be stamped with the date of alteration and caliber in millimeters in addition to the usual proof marks.
French regular line infantry carried the longer, Type I Model 1822 muskets. Voltiguers (light infantry) carried the shorter, Type II muskets. Both were originally configured as smoothbore, flintlock muskets, but were later converted to percussion by replacing the hammer and inserting a cone directly in the top of the barrel and plugging the vent or by brazing a bolster over the vent. Many were rifled and received long-range rear sights at the same time. Union gun buyers purchased at least 147,000 French and Belgian muskets during the Civil War. However, their records do not indicate model designations, making it impossible to know exactly how many Model 1822 muskets made it to the United States. The U.S. Ordnance Department rated French and Belgian smoothbore muskets as 3rd class. No record of Confederate purchases is known.
| BOTH TYPES: GOOD–$350 | FINE–$900 |
FRENCH MODEL 1842 MUSKET, .70/.71 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Made by French royal and Imperial arsenals and copied by Liege manufacturers, ca. 1842-ca. 1855. Total imported: Unknown, but Union records show over 147,000 French and Belgium muskets were purchased.
Overall length: Type I, 58-1/4".
Type II, 56".
Muzzleloader, single shot.
Lock plate markings reflect arsenals where manufactured. Between 1848 and 1852, French lock plates are inscribed with “Mre. Nle. de” followed by a city name. After 1852, this was changed to “Mre. Impale. de” followed by the city name. The barrel tang is engraved with the model designation, “M 1842” and year of manufacture. Liege-made examples have only the year of manufacture proof marks. A “T” will follow the model number on weapons altered in French arsenals. French barrels may also be stamped with the date of alteration and caliber in millimeters in addition to the usual proof marks.
Originally configured as smoothbore muskets, the Model 1842 was the first percussion long arm that the French Army adopted. French regular line infantry carried the longer, Type I Model 1842 muskets. Voltiguers (light infantry) carried the shorter, Type II muskets. The Model 1842 can be recognized by its back-action lock. All iron fittings are bright Many Model 1842 were subsequently rifled and received long-range sights. Union gun buyers purchased at least 147,000 French and Belgian muskets during the Civil War. However, their records do not indicate model designations making it impossible to know exactly how many Model 1842 muskets made it to the United States. The U.S. Ordnance Department rated French and Belgian smoothbore muskets as 3rd class. No record of Confederate purchases is known.
| BOTH TYPES: GOOD–$350 | FINE–$900 |
MORSE “INSIDE LOCK” MUSKET, .69 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Made by George W. Morse, Greenville, South Carolina, ca. 1863-1864. Total production: Fewer than 200.
Overall length: 53-3/4".
Muzzleloader, single shot.
Lower brass trigger tang stamped, “MORSE’S LOCK / STATE WORKS / GREENVILLE, S.C.” together with a serial number. The date (for example, “1863”) is stamped on the brass finial in front of the trigger bow.
The three-band, smoothbore musket incorporate a centrally located lock mechanism inside the stock. A shaft runs horizontally through the lock, terminating at an oval brass plate on the left side of the stock and attached to the hammer on the right.
| GOOD–$25,000 | FINE–$65,000 |
MECHANICAL AND AUTO PRIMING PERCUSSION CONVERSIONS
D uring the 1840s and 1850s there was a rush to produce efficient and affordable percussion conversion systems for the thousands of flintlock muskets in federal arsenals. Designers proposed mechanical priming systems as time-savers by eliminating the need to manually place a percussion cap on the cone. In practice, these systems were troubled and none, other than the Maynard Tape Primer, received wide acceptance.
BUTTERFIELD DISC PRIMER
The Butterfield primer consisted of a tube mounted to the center of the lock plate. The tube held tiny fulminate detonation discs. Internal mechanisms permitted a disc to be placed on the nipple when the user cocked the hammer.
Jesse Butterfield received a contract to convert 5,000 arms with this system in 1859. Deliveries, however, were very limited. Converted weapons were usually marked on the lock plate, forward of the hammer, “BUTTERFIELD’S / PATENT DEC. 11, 1855 / PHILADA”.
| GOOD–$2,500 | FINE–$8,000 |
James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
MAYNARD TAPE PRIMER
The Maynard device is quickly recognized from the door placed on the lock plate forward of the hammer. To accommodate the mechanism, a special humped-shape hammer had to be used. The Maynard system fed a narrow strip of varnished paper with spots of fulminate at regular intervals.
Remington Arms Co. fulfilled a contract for the conversion of 20,000 U.S. Model 1816 muskets to the Maynard system between 1856-1859. The contract also called for the muskets to be rifled and receive long-range sights. The lock plates on these conversions are stamped, “REMINGTON’S / ILION, N.Y. / [date] / N.Y.” Some are known to be marked “HERKIMER” instead of “ILION”.
| GOOD–$900 | FINE–$1,850 |
The Frankford Arsenal’s “Type I” Maynard conversion included a rear sight and rifling.
D.S. NIPPES CONVERSION
D.S. Nippes received two contracts each for the conversion of 1,000 U.S. Model 1835/1840 muskets. Nippes alteration built on the principal of the Maynard tape primer but could also be manually primed with a single conversion. Markings encountered on Nippes conversions include, “EDWARD MAYNARD / PATENTEE / 1845” and “MAYNARD’S PATENT / WASHINGTON / 1845”.
| GOOD–$2,100 | FINE–$4,000 |
The “Type II” Maynard conversion was not sighted. Rock Island Auction Company
WARD TAPE PRIMER
The Ward system incorporated a swivel door on the upper section of the hammer. This covered the receptacle for a roll of tape primers. An internal mechanism fed the tape over the nipple when the user cocked the hammer. Ward conversions are found on U.S. Model 1816 (and even earlier Model 1812) muskets. The right side of the hammer is marked “J.N. WARD. U.S.A. / PATENTED JULY 1, 1856.” Although the total quantity produced is unknown, the State of New York contracted for 1,200 conversions in 1857.
| GOOD–$2,500 | FINE–$4,750 |
James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
PRUSSIAN MODEL 1809 MUSKET, .71 OR .72 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Rock Island Auction Company
Made by several different private gun manufactories, ca. 1809-1839 Total imported: Unknown, but at least 100,000.
Overall length: 56-1/2".
Muzzleloader, single shot.
Lock plates stamped either “Potsdam”, “Saarn”, “Neiße”, or “Suhl” beneath a Prussian crown. The large number of imports bearing the Potsdam stamp give the weapon its common designation. The year of conversion to percussion will often be found stamped on the left side of the barrel as will “[crown] / FW.” Butt plates exhibit an array of markings including the year of conversion from flint, rack number, and regimental designation.
Originally produced as a flintlock, smooth-bore musket, the Model 1809 was converted to percussion before being replaced by the Model 1839 rifled musket. All steel parts were left bright. The U.S. Ordnance Department purchased 100,300 Prussian arms identified as “smooth bore.” There are no known records of Confederate purchases.
Rock Island Auction Company
| GOOD–$350 | FINE–$900 |
U.S. MODEL 1841 CADET MUSKET .57 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts, 1844–45. Total production: 450.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
Eagle over “US” on lock plate to front of hammer; “SPRING / FIELD / [year] vertically on lock plate to rear of hammer; “V / P / [eagle head]” on barrel.
This musket was intended for use by the Corps of Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy and was in service through 1856. Although it had a 40" round barrel secured to the stock with three iron bands, there is evidence that there were also three-band examples with 31" and 34" barrels. All metal parts were browned, except the casehardened lock. The bayonet stud was on the underside of the muzzle; there was no rear sight. Sling swivels were on the center band and front of the trigger guard bow.
| GOOD–$6,500 | FINE–$18,000 |
James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
U.S. MODEL 1842 MUSKET, HARPERS FERRY ARMORY, .69 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
Manufactured by Harpers Ferry Armory, Harper’s Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia), 1843–55. Total production: approximately 103,000.
Overall length: 57-13/16". Weight: 9 lbs. 3 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
Eagle over “US” on lock plate in front of hammer; “HARPERS / FERRY / [year]” vertically on lock plate to rear of hammer; “V / P / [eagle head]” proof mark on left side of barrel near breech; inspector’s initials forward of proof marks on some examples; “US” on tang of butt stock.
With the exception of the armory markings on the lock plate, the U.S. Model 1842 Muskets originating from Harpers Ferry Armory were virtually identical to those manufactured at the Springfield Armory. In addition, the musket parts from both armories were interchangeable. A variant of the U.S. Model 1842 Musket was the 3,200 reported to have been altered with shortened, rifled barrels and long-range rear sights for an expedition by John Charles Frémont in 1847. These rifled muskets had 33" barrels and an overall length of 48-1/2".
| GOOD–$950 | FINE–$2,750 |
U.S. MODEL 1842 MUSKET, SPRINGFIELD ARMORY, .69 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Rock Island Auction Company
Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts, 1844–55. Total production: approximately 172,000.
Overall length: 57-13/16". Weight: 9 lbs. 3 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
Eagle over “US” on lock plate in front of hammer; “SPRING / FIELD / [year]” vertically on lock plate to rear of hammer; “V / P / [eagle head]” proof mark on left side of barrel near breech; inspector’s initials forward of proof marks on some examples; “US” on tang of butt plate.
The U.S. Model 1842 musket was the first regulation percussion firearm and the last .69-caliber musket to be manufactured in U.S. armories. They were used in large numbers in the Mexican War and in the early months of the Civil War. They featured all-iron furniture, finished bright; a flat lock plate with beveled edges; 42" bright barrel fastened to the 55” black walnut stock with three barrel bands, the center of which held the upper sling swivel; and lower sling swivel riveted to the forward part of the trigger guard bow. A bayonet lug was located on the underside of the barrel near the muzzle. There was no rear sight; the forward sight was a brass blade on the upper barrel band. The butt plate was flat and 4-1/2" long. Many U.S. Model 1842 Muskets were rifled and equipped with long-range rear sights after 1855, and redesignated the U.S. Model 1842 Rifled Musket.
| GOOD–$950 | FINE–$2,750 |
U.S. MODEL 1842 MUSKET, B. FLAGG & COMPANY CONTRACT, .69 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Manufactured by B. Flagg & Co., Millbury, Massachusetts, 1849. Total production: at least 640.
Overall length: 57-3/4". Weight: approximately 9 lbs. 3 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
Eagle over “U.S.” on lock plate in front of hammer; “B. FLAGG & CO. / MILLBURY / MASS. / 1849” vertically on lock plate to rear of hammer (“1849” is marked horizontally on some specimens); “US” in italics on butt plate tang; serial number on butt plate tang, top of each band, and top of barrel near breech.
Benjamin Flagg’s version of the U.S. Model 1842 Musket was a virtual copy of the government-manufactured original. The musket had a short production run, evidently during only 1849, and South Carolina purchased 640 stands the following year. The lock plates of some specimens have a nonstandard shape, in which the surface forward of the percussion cap bolster cutout continues at about the same, nearly horizontal angle as the bolster cutout, but slightly below its level. This extension was beveled like most of the rest of the plate.
| GOOD–$1,200 | FINE–$3,800 |
U.S. MODEL 1842 MUSKET, PALMETTO ARMORY CONTRACT, .69 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
James D. Julia Auctioneers, Fairfield, Maine
Manufactured by Palmetto Armory, Columbia, South Carolina, 1852-53. Total production: at least 6,020.
Overall length: 57-3/4". Weight: approximately 9 lbs. 3 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
“PALMETTO ARMORY S*C” in a circle around a palmetto tree, on lock plate to front of hammer; “COLUMBIA / S.C. 1852” vertically on lock plate to rear of hammer; “V / P / [palmetto tree]” proof mark on barrel near breech; “SC” on tang of butt plate.
In April 1851 the Palmetto Armory secured a contract with South Carolina to produce 6,000 copies of the U.S. Model 1842 Musket. The armory completed the contract by the end of 1853, on machinery purchased from Benjamin Flagg’s factory in Millbury, Massachusetts, that had previously been used to manufacture the A. H. Waters and B. Flagg versions of the U.S. Model 1842 Musket. The Palmetto Armory version was very similar to the standard U.S. model, with variations in some examples including brass barrel bands instead of iron and a bayonet stud on top of the barrel rather than the bottom. In addition, some examples had long-range rear sights or browned barrels.
| GOOD–$3,500 | FINE–$7,000 |
U.S. MODEL 1842 A. H. WATERS CONTRACT MUSKET, .69 CALIBER, TYPE I (STANDARD BUTT PLATE), PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION.
Made by A. H. Waters & Co., Milbury, Massachusetts, ca. 1844. Total production: probably over 100.
Overall length: 57-3/4". Weight: approximately 10 lbs. 4 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
“A. H. WATERS & CO. / MILBURY, MASS” vertically on lock plate behind hammer; eagle and italic “US” on lock plate to front of hammer; “V”, “P”, and eagle head on barrel near breech.
This musket was produced by the private armory of Asa H. Waters in a very small quantity, probably in or after 1844. The locks were unhardened iron, flat with a beveled edge. The browned barrel was 42" long. Some examples had all-iron furniture, like the U.S. Model 1842 Musket, while others had all-brass furniture. The Type I musket had a standard butt plate, and the Type II a heavily textured brass “Sea Fencible” butt plate.
| GOOD–$950 | FINE–$3,400 |
U.S. “NAVY CONTRACT” MUSKET, .69 CALIBER, PAPER CARTRIDGE, PERCUSSION
Manufactured by A. H. Waters, Millbury, Massachusetts, and Eli Whitney, Jr., New Haven, Connecticut, ca. 1817–36; alterations ca. 1842–51. Total production: unknown.
Overall length: 57-11/16". Weight: 9 lbs. 15 oz.
Muzzleloader, single shot.
Waters version: “US / A WATERS” on lock plate to front of hammer; “MILLBURY / [year]” on lock plate to rear of hammer. Whitney version: “U.S. / [crossed arrow and olive branch] / E. WHITNEY” on lock plate in front of hammer; “NEW / HAVEN / [year]” on lock plate to rear of hammer.
At some point, probably between around 1842 and 1851, one or more arsenals or contractors altered an unknown number of U.S. Model 1816 flintlock muskets, .69 caliber. These muskets incorporate the “cone,” or “Belgian” percussion system, with a nipple set directly on the breech instead of on a bolster, as well as a heavy, curved, brass butt plate (some iron plates have been reported) with a prominent protrusion at the heel. Since the butt plate was noticeably narrower than the stock version, the butt stock was correspondingly narrowed. Various sources have designated this alteration as a “Navy Contract,” “Sea Fencible,” or “Massachusetts Militia” musket.
| GOOD–$950 | FINE–$3,400 |
