Author Topic: Help in identifiying old musket?  (Read 818 times)

Offline Bigmon

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1410
Help in identifiying old musket?
« on: September 13, 2024, 11:27:55 PM »
I aquired this recently, thinking it was the remains of a model 1795 Springfield.  But now I realize it has brass TG and BP?  I am probably wrong, but I thought these all had iron hardware?  Anyway, I am curious what it is (was)?  I think it is way too far gone for anyone to want it?  Although it has some savable parts.






Offline Seth Isaacson

  • Library_mod
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1104
  • Send me your rifles for the ALR Library!
    • Black Powder Historian
Re: Help in identifiying old musket?
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2024, 12:14:29 AM »
Those look like oil/lacquer stained iron to me rather than brass.
I am the Lead Historian/Firearms Specialist at Rock Island Auction Co., but I am here out of my own personal interests in muzzle loading and history.
*All opinions expressed are mine alone and are NOT meant to represent those of any other entity unless otherwise expressly stated.*

Offline Bigmon

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1410
Re: Help in identifiying old musket?
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2024, 12:28:08 AM »
Ya know what, that just could be?  I'll do a little scraping and find out.  Good thinking

Offline rich pierce

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19520
Re: Help in identifiying old musket?
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2024, 01:59:13 AM »
Magnet
Andover, Vermont

Offline Hawg

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 105
Re: Help in identifiying old musket?
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2024, 07:35:14 AM »
I would say it's an 1812 Springfield but the parts would still be iron.

Offline Bigmon

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1410
Re: Help in identifiying old musket?
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2024, 03:59:45 PM »
Dear Sirs
Yes, after removing the BP & TG I can clearly see they are iron.  Then my dim wit kicked in and I also checked with a magnet.  Which I could have done without removal.  But it all came apart easily any how.
The entire (what is left of) musket is heavily coated with old yellowed varnish, or something similar.
Was there an actual "Model 1812", or would this be a Model 1795 built in 1812?
Thanks to all.

Offline WESTbury

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1548
  • Marble Mountain central I Corps May 1969
Re: Help in identifiying old musket?
« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2024, 05:52:14 PM »
Dear Sirs
Yes, after removing the BP & TG I can clearly see they are iron.  Then my dim wit kicked in and I also checked with a magnet.  Which I could have done without removal.  But it all came apart easily any how.
The entire (what is left of) musket is heavily coated with old yellowed varnish, or something similar.
Was there an actual "Model 1812", or would this be a Model 1795 built in 1812?
Thanks to all.

The last of the so-called M1795 muskets were built at Springfield in 1814. The first of the M1812 muskets were built in very late 1814, probably Nov. Dec.

See pages 17 thru 76 of my book, Springfield Armory Infantry Muskets 1795-1814, published in 2015 by Mowbray Publishing of R.I.
https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=55358.0
« Last Edit: September 14, 2024, 06:12:45 PM by WESTbury »
"We are not about to send American Boys 9 to 10 thousand miles away from home to do what Asian Boys ought to be doing for themselves."
President Lyndon B. Johnson October 21, 1964

Offline Bigmon

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1410
Re: Help in identifiying old musket?
« Reply #7 on: September 15, 2024, 05:02:13 AM »
I guess if I am going to continue to be interested in Springfield muskets I'll need to get your book.
In the mean time, from your information here, I'd conclude my relic to be a M 1795 and built in 1812?
Since the M1812 were not made until 1814, and mine is dated prior to that, 1812.
Thanks so much.
Do you think that lock I have could be restored to flint.  Are parts available?
Thanks, as always?

Offline WESTbury

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1548
  • Marble Mountain central I Corps May 1969
Re: Help in identifiying old musket?
« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2024, 05:14:30 PM »
I guess if I am going to continue to be interested in Springfield muskets I'll need to get your book.
In the mean time, from your information here, I'd conclude my relic to be a M 1795 and built in 1812?
Since the M1812 were not made until 1814, and mine is dated prior to that, 1812.
Thanks so much.
Do you think that lock I have could be restored to flint.  Are parts available?
Thanks, as always?

Yes, 1812 is the build date. It is possible to have a Springfield flint musket with the build date on the buttplate tang or barrel breech one year later than the date on the lock. I found during my research for the book, that Springfield produced more locks in a given year than were used to build muskets. I believe this was deliberately done to keep lock production ahead of musket assembly.

There are repro parts available on the market but the time and effort to reconvert the lock would not be worth it in my opinion.

I've attached two photos of an 1812 dated Springfield lock in original condition for your reference.

Kent




"We are not about to send American Boys 9 to 10 thousand miles away from home to do what Asian Boys ought to be doing for themselves."
President Lyndon B. Johnson October 21, 1964

Offline Bigmon

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1410
Re: Help in identifiying old musket?
« Reply #9 on: September 15, 2024, 07:15:36 PM »
Thanks so much Kent, I really appreciate it.
In comparing your photo to my plate, they appear very much alike.  However the eagle on mine, as well as the script and the US above look smaller.  And the eagle is looking the other direction?

Offline WESTbury

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1548
  • Marble Mountain central I Corps May 1969
Re: Help in identifiying old musket?
« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2024, 07:42:40 PM »
Thanks so much Kent, I really appreciate it.
In comparing your photo to my plate, they appear very much alike.  However the eagle on mine, as well as the script and the US above look smaller.  And the eagle is looking the other direction?

The eagle styles present on Springfield flint muskets from 1799 to 1840 changed regularly, particularly those up to 1814. Pages 132 to 143 of my book show nineteen original condition locks from 1799 through 1843. The variety of eagles is amazing.
"We are not about to send American Boys 9 to 10 thousand miles away from home to do what Asian Boys ought to be doing for themselves."
President Lyndon B. Johnson October 21, 1964