Springfield Armory 1812 Pattern Type II Flintlock Musket

[WESTbury]

This Springfield Type II Flintlock Musket was produced in mid to late 1815. What differentiates the Type II from the Type I 1812 are the barrel bands and the band retaining springs used on the Type II, which were designated the "Band Over Spring" design.

For more information on the Springfield Type II Flintlock Musket refer to my articles in Man at Arms Magazine Vol 40, No 4 Aug 2018 and Arms Heritage Magazine June 2017. Also many more photos and in depth discussion on pages 42 to 67 of my book. 

[WESTbury]

In 1816, Springfield Armory produced one variation of the standard length M1812 Type II Flintlock Musket which utilized left over M1795 Springfield locks.

All of these locks are dated 1813 and were altered by grinding off the tit at the rear of the lockplate. It is believed that approximately 250 M1812 Type II muskets with these altered M1795, 1813 dated, locks were produced. All of the existing specimens are dated 1816 on the buttplate tang. In all other respects, these variations of the M1812 Type II, are these same as any other Type II M1812.

See pgs 327 & 328 of U.S. Military Flintlock Muskets by Peter Schmidt or pg 94 of George Moller's American Military Shoulder Arms Vol II for more info.

While it is thought that only 250 of this variation were produced, they do show up on the collector market, more than you would think.