Springfield Musket - Page 2 - The Firearms Forum

hosman321 · 10-25-2010, 06:52 PM

I've never known my family history. I've always wondered if I had any ancestors that served in the civil war or revolutionary war. Turns out my great great grandfather did! And possibly my great (x4) grandfather in the revolution. A very nice lady on my antiques forum did the research, now I know where to start!

Name: James Dawson
Residence: North Liberty, Iowa
Age at enlistment: 42
Enlistment Date: 20 Sep 1862
Rank at enlistment: 3rd Sergt
State Served: Iowa
Survived the War?: Yes
Service Record: Enlisted in Company I, Iowa 6th Cavalry Regiment on 02 Feb 1863.
Promoted to Full 2nd Sergeant on 01 May 1865.
Mustered out on 17 Oct 1865 at Sioux City, IA.
Promoted to Full 1st Sergeant on 11 May 1865.
Birth Date: abt 1820
Sources: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of Rebellion

hosman321 · 11-29-2010, 04:38 AM

Just thought I'd update and let you all know what I think. After many more hours of searching through pictures and doing research, I've come to the conclusion that this musket really is just a model 1842. I based this on the minute details I see over and over on other model 1842's online. The other springfield models have both significant and small differences that I can cleary see now that I really pay attention. Wikipedia also states that sights were added later (after being rifled). Which is exactly what appears to have happened to my musket. The brass sight on the front iron piece and the rear sight both appear to have been added later. Just thought I'd let you know, it's been a great learning experience!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_1842_Musket

rybur · 12-17-2012, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palmetto

According to Charles L. Foster an expert on Confederate troops and arms. Confederate soldiers could have carried any of these guns below.

Any U.S. Model 1816 Musket altered to percussion
Any U.S. Model 1842 Musket
Any Model of a Continental Import
Any U.S. Rifle-Musket of .58 caliber
Any Pattern of 1853 “Enfield” Rifle Musket
An Austrian Lorenz Rifle-Musket
A Sharps Carbine
A Spencer Carbine

Could my Model 1816 type III conversion be one of those? It's got "-ILLBURY/1835", "US/A WATERS", and "US" on the butt plate tang. The area around the nipple is the most damaged part of the whole rifle; with pitting on the metal parts, cavities in the stock, and a few scratches. I believe someone put shellac on this as it was hung in a bar for a few years. It's been in the family but we have no story for it. I thought it resembled a few "Confederate Conversion" examples online, but wondered what you guys thought.

10-25-2010, 06:52 PM	#26
hosman321 Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Graham, Washington Posts: 15	Re: Springfield Musket I've never known my family history. I've always wondered if I had any ancestors that served in the civil war or revolutionary war. Turns out my great great grandfather did! And possibly my great (x4) grandfather in the revolution. A very nice lady on my antiques forum did the research, now I know where to start! Name: James Dawson Residence: North Liberty, Iowa Age at enlistment: 42 Enlistment Date: 20 Sep 1862 Rank at enlistment: 3rd Sergt State Served: Iowa Survived the War?: Yes Service Record: Enlisted in Company I, Iowa 6th Cavalry Regiment on 02 Feb 1863. Promoted to Full 2nd Sergeant on 01 May 1865. Mustered out on 17 Oct 1865 at Sioux City, IA. Promoted to Full 1st Sergeant on 11 May 1865. Birth Date: abt 1820 Sources: Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of Rebellion

11-29-2010, 04:38 AM	#27
hosman321 Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Graham, Washington Posts: 15	Re: Springfield Musket Just thought I'd update and let you all know what I think. After many more hours of searching through pictures and doing research, I've come to the conclusion that this musket really is just a model 1842. I based this on the minute details I see over and over on other model 1842's online. The other springfield models have both significant and small differences that I can cleary see now that I really pay attention. Wikipedia also states that sights were added later (after being rifled). Which is exactly what appears to have happened to my musket. The brass sight on the front iron piece and the rear sight both appear to have been added later. Just thought I'd let you know, it's been a great learning experience! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_1842_Musket Last edited by hosman321; 11-29-2010 at 04:44 AM..