Springfield question

[Shudg51]

Hello fellows I’m new to your forum and have a rather dumb question. I have recently bought a Springfield flintlock from an antique dealer friend of mine and after looking up numerous locks I cannot find one that just has SPRINGFIELD written in a straight line under the pan. After searching online I also looked in the book by Kent Johns and have yet to see any locks marked the way mine is. Has anyone seen any locks marked like mine? I’m really just curious as to when this gun was made and appreciate any help with this.
Thanks!

[WESTbury]

Hello,

I'd need to see a little bit more of the musket to determine exactly which Model this may be but I can tell you that locks marked "SPRINGFIELD" in the manner and location as yours were stamped by Henry Osborne of Springfield Mass. Osborne was an independent contractor and made muskets for Mass Militia members using surplus components sold at auction by Springfield Armory. It looks to have a detachable iron flashpan which was phased out of production at Springfield Armory in 1809.

Henry Osborne was not an Armory employee.

Post a few more pictures if you can.

Kent

[Shudg51]

Yes sir I will get more pictures and it does look like a faint H and other letters above the Springfield. I really appreciate your help!

[Shudg51]

Here’s a couple more views.

[WESTbury]

Thanks for posting the additional photos.

You have a very interesting, what is call an Armory Variant Musket. The lock plate is of the U.S. 1812 Standard Pattern configuration but fitted with a detachable iron flashpan. The U.S 1812 Pattern had an integrally forged iron flashpan. The configuration of the buttstock and the location of the barrel band springs of the lower and mid-band is the Charleville Pattern, known to collectors as M1795. It does look as though the forestock may have been shortened to fit a 42 inch long barrel. I say this because the spacing between the mid and upper band looks to be less than it would be with a 44-1/2 inch long barrel which was the standard for the Charleville/M1795 musket.

Also, the barrel has a very pronounced barrel flat on the left side of the barrel breech which was a characteristic of the U.S. Model 1816 Flintlock Musket.

This musket was intended for a state or private militia unit. In the case of the private militias, I believe that those troops had to purchase their own muskets.

[Steve Collward]

Shudg51,
  That's a nice looking Springfield marked musket. Looks to be in very good condition. Nice find.
Thanks to Kent for providing background information regarding this musket. Very interesting. 

[WESTbury]

Shudg51,
  That's a nice looking Springfield marked musket. Looks to be in very good condition. Nice find.
Thanks to Kent for providing background information regarding this musket. Very interesting.

Guys,

I want to make sure that my point on this musket is very clear. It was very definitely not made at Springfield Armory. Henry Osborne was an independent producer of flintlock muskets and was not associated with Springfield Armory. Some of the components he used to build muskets were probably purchased from the Armory during one of their sales of surplus and scrap components.

In point of fact, Henry Osborne is recorded as purchasing from Springfield Armory on March 7, 1821:

25 Ramrods ------$5.98
50 Gun Barrels---$4.00
50 Bayonets---- $10.25

Photos below show the lockplate markings of regulation Springfield Armory produced 1812 Pattern, dated 1816, and an Model 1816, dated 1829, Flintlock Muskets.
 

[Bill Paton]

Shudg51,

I just want to be sure you realize that your questions are being answered by Kent Johns, himself, THE knowledge source for Springfield information! We all feel grateful for his presence on this forum.

Bill Paton

[WESTbury]

Shudg51,
I just want to be sure you realize that your questions are being answered by Kent Johns, himself, THE knowledge source for Springfield information!
Bill Paton

That's way overstated by light years, but I appreciate it.

There are some great sources on Springfield Armory available. Both George Moller and Pete Schmidt authored comprehensive books, which are still available, containing a wealth of info on Springfield, and U.S. and state arms contractors. I would recommend both George's and Pete's books for anyone wishing a deep dive into Springfield. Also, Norm Flayderman's books as well.

My book and articles focus on a small part of Springfield Armory's history, 1795 to 1844, which was the flintlock era.

Henry Osborne and his "SPRINGFIELD" marked muskets have been a problem for many years for those collectors new to the field, especially if they want muskets produced by Springfield Armory. Anyone that wants to begin collecting early Springfield Armory muskets should read the research before laying out cash. I wish that I had had Norm Flayderman's book, first published in 1977, as it would have saved me some heartache.

[Shudg51]

I really appreciate you taking your time to have a look at my musket. I was in hopes that it was an armory made piece but since it will spend its time hanging on the wall behind my desk that’s not an issue. I feel like I got a very good deal on it so I’m okay. Again thanks for all the information and I totally enjoyed your book!
Steve

[WESTbury]

Your musket is a great wall hanger and very nice looking as well.

Thanks for the kind words on the book.

Kent

[Bigmon]

This is an old 1795 that has seen better days.

[WESTbury]

Is there a date stamped at the end of the lockplate? Also, is the "N" in the Springfield name, backwards?

1804 is the year in which the Springfield name was relocated from the rear of the lockplate to forward of the cock, under the Eagle.

[Bob Roller]

The ONLY dumb questions on this forum are the unasked ones so don't
worry about being ridiculed or "put down" for asking ANY question that
pertains to this avocation.
Bob Roller

[WESTbury]

Building on what Bob Roller has said, I welcome any and all questions on the flintlock muskets made at Springfield Armory. I have folders full of info I gathered during the research period for my book, and have amassed even more since the book was published in 2015.

If you wish privacy, send me a PM through the ALR if you are a member.