Original item: One Only. The U.S. Model 1822 Musket was a .69 caliber smoothbore flintlock, with a 42-inch barrel and an overall length of 58 inches. It replaced the previous model 1816 musket, and often is viewed as a further development of that design. One of the most noticeable differences in the Model 1822 is the attachment of the lower sling swivel. The forward part of the trigger bow was provided with an enlargement which was drilled to receive the sling swivel rivet. Previously, the sling swivel had been affixed to a stud in front of the trigger bow.

The Model 1822 was produced by the Springfield Armory, Harpers Ferry Armory, and numerous other contractors, such as Asa Waters of Millbury, Massachusetts. It was eventually replaced by the Springfield Model 1835, which is also considered by many to be a continuation of the Model 1816. These were sometimes referred to as "Whitney Flintlocks" due to the large number made in New Haven, Connecticut by Eli Whitney.

In the 1850s, many of the Flintlock Muskets in Arsenal were converted to Percussion, which was a much more reliable and water-resistant ignition system. This involved all variants of the Model of the 1816, and helped to standardize the types of ammunition carried by the soldiers in the field. The easiest conversion type, often referred to as the “Belgian” style conversion, was to simply tap a threaded hole in the top of the breach of the barrel to permit the fitting of a percussion cone (aka “nipple”). The lock had the frizzen and other external parts removed, and the pan mostly cut off. Many of these were then used during the Civil War by local militias, especially in the South, which did not have the same industrial capacity.

This is one such example, and in addition to being converted to percussion, was also cut-down to an artillery short musket length, removing 12 inches from the front of the musket, so it is now 45 1/2 inches long with a 30 inch barrel. The musket still has the remnants of the brass pan intact on the lock plate, and was contractor produced, as indicated by the markings under the hammer:

U.S.

A. WATERS

It also has markings on the lock plate tail:

MILLBURY
1835

Asa Waters II (November 2, 1769 – December 24, 1841 in Millbury) was an American gunsmith and industrialist. He learned gunsmithing from his father, as was very common at the time for tradesmen. He earned a patent for turning a gun barrel in a lathe. In 1808, with his brother Elijah, he founded an armory, which contracted with the government. In 1825 he founded Millbury Bank. In 1823, he was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

While the musket was made in 1835, it is most likely in the Model 1822 / Model 1816 Type II configuration, as the contractors were usually a few years behind the national armories. The musket looks to have seen a good amount of use after percussion conversion, and now shows a lot of powder burn erosion around the cap nipple cone. There is also erosion of the stock on the right side of the barrel tang. It does however still show a relatively clear 1835 date on the barrel tang, which did not see as much powder burn.

This example is in very nice display condition, with a lovely patina showing decades of careful cleaning after a long service life. The lock is fully functional, and holds correctly at half-cock, firing at full cock, though it does require a pretty strong trigger pull. The barrel and metalwork displays a dark brown oxidized patina, with a bit of peppering in areas, and powder burn around the breech area. The cap nipple cone is still present, but definitely shows oxidation and powder burn to the exterior.

The stock is in good shape, showing wear commensurate with long service in the field. There are dents, chips, chunks missing, and other wear, but no major cracks or other damage. There is a small crack going from the lower lock screw to the breech, which is a very common place for these to occur. The walnut stock wood has a lovely brown color, only achieved after decades. The original cleaning rod is still present along with the lower sling swivel, which is currently frozen.

A very good example of an early stage in the evolution of the U.S. Musket, which saw further service by being converted to percussion and shortened. Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1835
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 30 Inches
Overall Length: 45 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

History of the Model 1822 Musket:

The War of 1812 had revealed many weaknesses in American muskets. The Model 1812 Musket was created in an attempt to improve both the design and manufacture of the musket. The Model 1816 made further improvements, and replaced the Model 1812. The Model 1812 had borrowed heavily from the design of the French Charleville model 1777 musket, and this design was retained for the Model 1816. The Model 1816 had a 42 inch long .69 caliber smoothbore barrel, similar to the Model 1812, but had a longer lock plate, a shorter trigger guard, and a longer bayonet than the Model 1812. The Model 1816 also had a more straight lined stock. The overall length of the weapon was 58 inches.

The Model 1816 musket was originally produced at the Harpers Ferry and Springfield Arsenals between 1816 and 1844. Around 675,000 were made, more than any other flintlock in U.S. history.

The Model 1816 was originally produced as a flintlock musket. Like many flintlock muskets, many of these were later converted to percussion cap, as the percussion cap system was much more reliable and weather resistant.

This model of Springfield musket was used by Texans during the Texas Revolution and by the US Army and militia during the Mexican-American War. During this conflict, the flintlock version of the Model 1816 was preferred by U.S. regular forces, due to percussion cap supply concerns.

It was also used during the early years of the American Civil War until around 1862.

Many improvements to the Model 1816 were made, producing the Model 1822, Model 1835, Model 1840, and Model 1842. U.S. Ordnance Department referred to these as different models, but in other U.S. government documents they are referred to as a continuation of the Model 1816. Modern histories are similarly inconsistent in the nomenclature of these weapons.

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