Original U.S. Civil War Springfield Model 1822 Musket by Harpers Ferry Dated 1823 - Percussion Converted in 1862 by H&P for New Jersey

Original item: Only One Available. The U.S. Model 1822 Musket was a .69 caliber smoothbore flintlock, with a 42-inch barrel and an overall length of 58 inches. It replaced the previous model 1816 musket, and often is viewed as a further development of that design. One of the most noticeable differences in the Model 1822 is the attachment of the lower sling swivel. The forward part of the trigger bow was provided with an enlargement which was drilled to receive the sling swivel rivet. Previously, the sling swivel had been affixed to a stud in front of the trigger bow.

The Model 1822 was produced by the Springfield Armory, Harpers Ferry Armory, and numerous other contractors. It was eventually replaced by the Springfield Model 1835, which is also considered by many to be a continuation of the Model 1816. These were sometimes referred to as "Whitney Flintlocks" due to the large number made in New Haven, Connecticut by Eli Whitney.

The outbreak of the Civil War in the United States created a large need for percussion muskets, as the number of modern firearms currently on hand was far short of what was needed. To fill this need, updating older design firearms was both faster and more cost effective, so many Model 1816 family muskets still in service were updated to percussion rifles. Also, many muskets converted to percussion in the 1840s-1850s were pressed back into service. 

The musket was originally manufactured at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry itself in 1823, as indicated by markings on the tail of the lock plate:

HARPERS
FERRY
1823

There is also a clear Federal Eagle over U.S. on the lock plate in front of the hammer, which is crisp on the excellent condition lock plate. The barrel is faintly dated 1862 on the top and marked H&P on the cap bolster.

This musket was converted to percussion by HEWES & PHILLIPS of Newark, New Jersey as one of 12,000 muskets under the second New Jersey State contract during 1862. This is the Type II conversion, which utilized a cap nipple cone bolster without a cleanout, like the "Special" Model 1861 and Model 1863 muskets, and also had a nose cap band modified to have a steel front sight. The earlier contract for 8,000 muskets was for the Type I conversion, which has a cleanout on the cap bolster, but no sight on the nose cap. Both types of conversions involved the installation of a three-leaf rear right.

The mounting points for the frizzen and frizzen spring can still be seen, though they are plugged. The musket was converted by being fitted with a new breech plug and breech end, incorporating a "built-in" Percussion Cap nipple to back end of the barrel. This type of conversion resulted total removal of the original brass powder pan. The three leaf rear sight is still fully retained and functional, though a bit stiff.

There is a good amount of powder burn around the breech of the barrel, and it looks to have seen a good amount of use after conversion. There often would be another "H&P" as well as "N.J." stamped on this area, however we do not see any markings present anymore except for the 1862 date. We can see some faced cartouches on the left side of the stock by the side plate, however they are unfortunately not legible. The stock is still in lovely matured condition, showing a very nice dark red brown color, and no signs of major damage or repairs. It does not look to have been restored either, showing a lovely patina of age.

The metalwork on the musket is in very good condition, showing some areas of past peppering around the cap nipple cone bolster from powder burn, but little damage of that type anywhere else. The barrel and fittings show cleaning over the years, which has given them a lovely polished look. The inside of the barrel is rough, with heavy oxidation across the bore. We cannot see any evidence of rifling, though it is possible that it was worn away from use, or is covered by oxidation and fouling. The lock still holds correctly at half cock, firing at full. The musket retains its original ram rod as well as both sling swivels and the sling. 

A fine matured example of an older musket converted for service during the Civil War. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1823 - converted 1862
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 42 Inches
Overall Length: 57 3/8 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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History of the Model 1822 Musket:

The War of 1812 had revealed many weaknesses in American muskets. The Model 1812 Musket was created in an attempt to improve both the design and manufacture of the musket. The Model 1816 made further improvements, and replaced the Model 1812. The Model 1812 had borrowed heavily from the design of the French Charleville model 1777 musket, and this design was retained for the Model 1816. The Model 1816 had a 42 inch long .69 caliber smoothbore barrel, similar to the Model 1812, but had a longer lock plate, a shorter trigger guard, and a longer bayonet than the Model 1812. The Model 1816 also had a more straight lined stock. The overall length of the weapon was 58 inches.

The Model 1816 musket was originally produced at the Harpers Ferry and Springfield Arsenals between 1816 and 1844. Around 675,000 were made, more than any other flintlock in U.S. history.

The Model 1816 was originally produced as a flintlock musket. Like many flintlock muskets, many of these were later converted to percussion cap, as the percussion cap system was much more reliable and weather resistant.

This model of Springfield musket was used by Texans during the Texas Revolution and by the US Army and militia during the Mexican-American War. During this conflict, the flintlock version of the Model 1816 was preferred by U.S. regular forces, due to percussion cap supply concerns.

It was also used during the early years of the American Civil War until around 1862.

Many improvements to the Model 1816 were made, producing the Model 1822, Model 1835, Model 1840, and Model 1842. U.S. Ordnance Department referred to these as different models, but in other U.S. government documents they are referred to as a continuation of the Model 1816. Modern histories are similarly inconsistent in the nomenclature of these weapons.