Author Topic: flintlock conversion markings.  (Read 3383 times)

Rolland

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flintlock conversion markings.
« on: May 20, 2013, 11:00:09 PM »
I was directed to the this site hoping that someone might be able to help me id some markings on this flintlock conversion. It looks to have started out life as a Springfield Model 1822 .69 caliber musket, flintlock 42 inch barrel and has been converted to percussion by the Belgian variation know as "cone-in-barrel" method. What I need is someone to assist me in figuring out the markings on the barrel. It has a date of 1821 on the tang and a "w"? "C" and I think "32" under that. I know each armory that did the conversions had a unique mark in both the north and south armories. The "W" could also be an eagle but its not to plain. There are no other markings on the gun. The bands are iron. and it has a square lug at the muzzle for the bayonet. the front sight is on the forward band.
The history is that it was found just south of Fort Union in New Mexico by a friend that cowboyed in the area. He gave it to me before he passed. There was not much left of it other than the barrel, band and forearm metal.
I was hoping someone here might have some information or could direct me to someone that might be able to help.
I have a habit of collecting these relics but this is one I have not been able to figure out.


Offline Hungry Horse

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Re: flintlock conversion markings.
« Reply #1 on: May 21, 2013, 04:06:52 AM »
A friend has a Pomeroy musketoon of about the same age with the Belgian conversion like yours. No marks at the the breech though.

                      Hungry Horse

Offline Nate McKenzie

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Re: flintlock conversion markings.
« Reply #2 on: May 25, 2013, 03:15:54 AM »
What you have is probably a Model 1816 pattern musket. 1822 is the year of production and should be the same or very close to the date on the lock. This style of conversion was the only one done at US arsenals. Other styles were done at private arsenals or armories. It is often called the Belgian style conversion. The 32 could be a rack number. I don't know about the letters but it would be easy to imagine an S after the C for Confederate States.

Rolland

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Re: flintlock conversion markings.
« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2013, 05:56:41 AM »
Nate
You may be correct on the 1816 pattern with 1821 being the date converted? I am finding out that some of the southern armories did conversions altho a little different type but no luck on which ones or the id marks they might have used. I like the idea of an S following a C but who knows. Confederates could have  carried this musket to New Mexico during the Civil War they were issued to Federal troops in the Mexican war so they could have been picked up there left over from U.S. stores. But then maybe Union forces had it at Fort Union. It would be a very interesting story. 
According to "The Warner Guide to American Long Arms" page77 arms  made between 1812 and 1820 and all that had seen actual service were judged third class and received a number "3" inspection mark. So this might be the answer. It goes on to say some were also judged second class and marked with a 2. 
I may have to make up my own story on that, the marks will be part of the story of "The Musket that went to New Mexico" a story of adventure and mystery in the early west. ;)

Offline JV Puleo

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Re: flintlock conversion markings.
« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2013, 07:18:59 AM »
The 1821 date has nothing to do with the conversion, aside from identifying the gun was one eligible for conversion. The conversions weren't done until the 1850s and "Belgian" conversions were only done by the government. At the time, only unissued M1821 muskets were going to be converted... the guns were designated as such by the Ordnance Department when the program to develop interchangeable parts had progressed to the point where it was felt a new designation was warranted. No muskets made before 1821 were to be converted (although eventually a few were) and all of the earlier muskets were condemned, whether in new condition or not. See Pete Schmidt's 2nd volume on US martial flintlocks.