Original U.S. Springfield Model 1816 Contract Flintlock Musket by Lemuel Pomeroy Dated 1820 with New York State Marking - Unconverted

Original item: One Only. The U.S. Model 1816 Musket was a .69 caliber smoothbore flintlock, with a 42-inch barrel and an overall length of 58 inches. It replaced the previous model 1812 musket, and often is viewed as a further development of that design. Like the Model 1812, the Model 1816 borrowed heavily from the design of the French Charleville model 1777 musket, 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 Model 1816 was produced by the Springfield Armory, Harpers Ferry Armory, and numerous other contractors, such as Lemuel Pomeroy & Co.. It was eventually replaced by the Springfield Model 1822, 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.

In the 1850s, many of the Flintlock Muskets in Arsenal were converted to Percussion, which was a much more reliable and water-resistant ignition system. This involved all variants of the Model of the 1816, and helped to standardize the types of ammunition carried by the soldiers in the field.

This example however avoided such treatment, and is still in the original flintlock configuration! It was contractor produced, and saw long service, with many cleanings, which have unfortunately removed most of the markings from the lock plate. The Federal Eagle and date markings are gone, and all that remains of the maker mark is L. P[OMEROY], however this is enough to definitively identify it. This is one of many Model 1816 muskets made by Lemuel Pomeroy & Company of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Between 1817 to 1836, Pomeroy made some 21,600 muskets of Type 1 (Model 1816) and Type 3 (Model 1830) for the government. Many of these were specifically destined for the state of Virginia. Pomeroy was not contracted to make any Type 2 (Model 1822) muskets, and it was common that contractors made the same type until the end of a specific contract.

The left top of the barrel is marked with the standard Eagle's Head over P proofs, with a V next to the tang, which are the correct markings for this era. Between the P and V is an SJ stamping, for inspector Seth James, noted for inspecting Pomeroy Muskets during the 1818-1824 period. There is even a date still on the tang, which looks to have been slightly mis-struck, but we can see that it is definitely an 1820 date stamp.

Overall this is a very nice patinated example of a Model 1816 Long Musket, with signs of long service in the field. The barrel and metalwork show signs of past peppering and light pitting, now mostly cleaned away but leaving a lovely mottled patina in areas. The lock is fully functional, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full, though it is a bit stiff. The stock is in lovely condition, showing a fantastic red brown color, only possible on aged and oiled walnut. It shows wear and denting, as well as staining around the iron fittings from rust and moisture. There is a good amount of wear around the fittings, and we can definitely see that repeated cleanings have removed some wood. Both sling swivels are present and move relatively easily, and the cleaning rod looks to be original, still retaining threads on the end.

A lovely patinated of an early American Musket that would look fantastic as part of any early arms collection. Ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1820
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 42 Inches
Overall Length: 57 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

History of the Model 1816 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.

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.