Hello, I am new here and this is my first post. I would appreciate help putting a value on this musket, which was acquired by my father on a trip to Tennessee in 1970. We shot it a few times when I was a child, then it became a wall piece. It is inscribed with Springfield 1824 US and an eagle symbol. Also a P eagle symbol V and K II H near the nipple. S is on the left side plate and the letters EB are carved into the walnut stock. It has a strong action and has been confirmed to be unloaded.
David
PS I was only able to upload 3 pictures and will try again later.
What you have is a Model 1816 musket with the lock stamped 1824. It was originally a flintlock, but later converted to percussion. The converted models are worth about a third of an original flintlock in similar condition. Please post a bunch more photos covering the entire gun so that we can get a better handle on condition.
First, verify that the gun is unloaded by assuring that a dowel can be inserted all the way to the breach plug. Describe the condition of the bore. Any pitting? You can remove the nipple and shine a flashlight into the hole for the nipple and look into the bore.
Two things here: Welcome to the Forum AND WHAT A BEAUTY!!!!!!!!!
I agree with dcriner, and sadly about monetary value. That is - monetary value to a collector of unaltered weapons. Your musket has much value. It is in very good condition, especially considering it's age. The historic value is - at least to people like me - absolutely through the roof. It was altered to percussion, likely at the start of the Civil War, because the Governments both North and South needed percussion long arms in one quick hurry. By the middle and end of the war, enough domestic and imported military long arms were available so that by then yours was obsolete. I do have to add that out-west, even towards the end of the war, rifles altered from flint to percussion were used as late as 1864.
The markings you describe are normal and expected on your rifle. The V P means that the weapon was 'viewed (inspected) and proofed (tested for safety)' and the 'eagle's head is a Federal Ordinance acceptance stamp for U.S. arms. Lock plate markings are self-explanatory, as they tell you what armory/arsenal made it and the date it was made. There should also be a 'Federal Eagle' - if I'm not mistaken, but that may have been on later production arms.
Maybe someone can back me up or correct me on this: A ' FederalEagle', depending on whether the eagle's head was facing the arrows or facing the olive branches - reflected whether the weapon was produced during peace or during war. I remember hearing this long ago, but I'm no longer certain if this was true or not. Just a bit of trivia.
Congradulations on a very fine piece of U.S. history.
"Maybe someone can back me up or correct me on this: A ' FederalEagle', depending on whether the eagle's head was facing the arrows or facing the olive branches - reflected whether the weapon was produced during peace or during war."
I haven't heard that. I did pull my original 1863/64 Springfield down from the wall - the eagle is looking toward the olive branches.
I'm going back and forth between a Type II (mfg 1822-31) and Type III (mfg 1831-44) Model 1816. The lock may be one type and the rest of the piece another? Can you please post some additional photos of the trigger guard from different angles? Loosen or remove the sling from where it attaches to the rear sling swivel to show the details of the trigger guard bow.
There appears to be a split in the right side of the stock? If the bore is smooth and not pitted, the gun would be between Good ($600) and Fine ($850), probably closer to Fine. The conversion to percussion seems likely to have been done by a U.S. Armory or Army contractor, which is a plus. Check the caliber - should be .69, unless somebody enlarged it for use as a scatter gun.
If the bayonet is original, that would also be a plus.
Thanks for the clarification on the eagle's head/arrows/olive branch. I've never researched it before, and was something maybe from a High School class back in the 60s. (Memo to self: DELETE from memory bank!)
Even though this gun has been converted it remains a very nice example of an 1816 musket. Note the lack of pitting on any of the metal and the nice crisp cartouches and edges on the stock. We will never know if any patina was removed from the metal but these guns were finished in the white and this one looks like it is still in the original polish. A very nice gun indeed.
Agree with Mikebiker. It appears to be in excellent condition. I've seen them in average condition for $1,000 or so--yours is far above average. If that is an original sling, it is would add considerably more value to the gun.
Model 1816 Springfield muskets built in 1822-31 were browned, except for the lock, and were not finished in the clear. Evidently, the original browning has been removed.
Thanks for all your input. This Springfield is .69 caliber, there is a shallow 1" long split in the stock, the trigger guard has the letters CBC, and the bayonet has D b 59 and TV WG.
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