Original item: Only One Available. The Springfield Model 1847 was a percussion lock musketoon / carbine produced by the Springfield Armory in the mid-19th century. Muskets were designed for a dual purpose on the battlefield, and could be used as a both a and a pike for short range fighting. Because they were used in a manner similar to a pike, muskets had to be long and heavy, which made them impractical for other uses. Because of this, many muskets were produced in a shorter version, often called a carbine or a musketoon. These shorter weapons were often used by naval forces and cavalry.

The Model 1847 was produced in three variants, the Cavalry, Artillery, and Sappers & Minders (engineers) Musketoon or Carbine, all at Springfield armory between 1847 and 1859. The total production of all three models is estimated at approximately 10,000 carbines. Like the Model 1840 & 1842 Muskets, it was produced with a thicker wall barrel, with the intention that they could be rifled later.

The ‘Sappers’ Model 1847 Springfield Musketoon, also known as a ‘Sappers & Miners” model, was the rarest of the three variants, and also the rarest to find intact without any modifications. Only 250 of these were made in 1847-1848, with 80 later made in 1855 and 500 made in 1856. This accounted for less than 10% of total Model 1847 Musketoon production. Sappers & Miners type musketoons were fitted specifically with a unique, sword-bayonet stud on the barrel band and a twin-studded bayonet lug on the right side of the barrel muzzle, which were often removed to convert these to an "Artillery" model that took a simpler socket bayonet.

This example has not had any post manufacture modifications, and is still offered in the original configuration. It has not been rifled, and the original bayonet fittings are still fully intact. The only "alteration" is that the upper sling swivel has broken off of the bolster. It is marked with an "American Eagle" over US, and the lock plate tail is clearly marked SPRING / FIELD / 1847. Like all Model 1847 Musketoons, it was made at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield itself. The side plate is thin and not bulged, just like the Model 1842 Musket. We can still see a faint V / P / Eagle's Head proofs on the barrel nocks form, and a faint 1847 date on the barrel tang.

With the correct Sappers & Miners iron fittings, this .69 caliber musketoon is in very good condition, with the original ramrod present, along with the barrel band and nose cap. The butt plate is correctly U.S. marked, however we do not see any markings on the barrel band or nose cap.

The metalwork overall shows a polished steel patina, with evidence of past peppering overall, with a bit of more advanced oxidation. There is some light powder burn near the cap bolster, which has not majorly eroded the metal, and the cap nipple cone is still in very good shape. The lock still functions correctly, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full, though sometimes the sear doesn't grab well at full cock, possibly due to the sear not moving well. We checked the bore, and it is definitely not rifled, and shows an overall oxidized and fouled interior. The stock is in very good condition, showing a dark brown color from long service and oiling. There are no major cracks or other damage, though there is a significant dent on the left wrist by the trigger guard.

A very nice example of a very scarce U.S. Percussion Carbine, one of only 200 made during that year. Ready to add to your collection!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1847
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 26 Inches
Overall Length: 41 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

More on the Model 1847 Musketoon:
The Model 1847, like the Model 1842 musket that it was based on, had a .69 caliber barrel, and was fired using a percussion lock system. The barrel was much shorter, only 26 inches in length compared to the Model 1842's 42 inch barrel. The Model 1842 had been produced as a smoothbore musket, but many were later rifled. The Model 1847 carbines were also produced as a smoothbore weapon, and a small number of these also were later rifled. Smoothbore carbines were not sighted. The carbines that were rifled were also fitted with sights.

Like the Model 1842 musket, the Model 1847 carbine used barrel bands to attach the barrel to the stock. The carbine, being much shorter, only required two barrel bands, instead of the three required for the longer Model 1842 musket. The Model 1847 carbine featured a small lock and chain or metal bale for attaching the ramrod which was especially useful while reloading on horseback. The total weight of the carbine was approximately 7.4 lbs, and its overall length was 41 inches.

The cavalry model was not highly regarded by those mounted troops to whom they were issued. Inspector General Joseph K. Mansfield conducted a tour of the Western outposts in 1853 and reported that the troops made many derogatory comments about their carbines. Dragoons told him that when the weapon was carried by a mounted trooper, the ball would simply roll out of the weapon's barrel. His report also stated that "There is no probable certainty of hitting the object aimed at, and the recoil is too great to be fired with ease." Mansfield concluded that the gun was essentially "a worthless arm," having "no advocates that I am aware of."

The Model 1847 musketoon's inadequacies were largely responsible for Steptoe's loss at the Battle of Pine Creek (along with other poor equipment selections).

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