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 (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.

This example has not been rifled, and as such was never fitted with a three leaf rear sight. It also was made as cavalry carbine, with brass fittings and a saddle ring bar running from the side plate to the lower barrel band. The bar and saddle ring were removed, with the hole in the side plate plugged, while the bolster on the saddle ring bar was left in place. The retaining chain for the ramrod was removed, and it also looks to have been fitted with a sling swivel on the butt stock, which was later removed. Definitely Some very interesting history to this musketoon.

After modification, it looks to have seen much service, probably still in use during the U.S. Civil War. It is marked with an "American Eagle" over US, and the lock plate tail is clearly marked SPRING / FIELD / 1853. Many of these muskets were produced under contract, however this example was made at the United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield itself. The rifle side plate is thin and not bulged, just like the Model 1842 Musket. Due to wear, unfortunately the markings on the barrel breech are no longer legible.

With the correct carbine all brass fittings, this .69 caliber musketoon is in very good condition, with an original ramrod present, along with both barrel bands and the nose cap. There is still a remnant of the base for the retaining chain under the muzzle, which looks to have been adapted to a socket bayonet lut. The butt plate is correctly U.S. marked.

There is powder burn near the cap bolster, and the metalwork shows some deterioration in that area, which removed the original barrel proofs. The cap nipple cone looks to be original, and shows wear from oxidation and use. The lock still functions correctly, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full. There is however another notch on the tumbler very close to the nipple cone, which may the the original half cock position, and later another was added. We checked the bore, and it is clear with some past fouling and oxidation, and shows no sign of ever having been rifled.

The metalwork overall has a speckled brown patina from years of cleaning, with some areas of more advanced oxidation. The brass fittings have a lovely "mustard" patina, and really look great. The stock is in good condition, with a lovely color. It does however have a crack through the wrist, which shows movement, and another crack below this running from the trigger guard back. There is a faded marking on the left side of the stock by the lock screws, but we cannot read it. 

A very nice example of a hard to find U.S. Percussion Cavalry Carbine, converted to an Artillery Musketoon. Ready to add to your collection and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1853
Caliber: .69"
Ammunition Type: Cap and Ball
Barrel Length: 26 Inches
Overall Length: 40 3/4 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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