Original item: One Only. The U.S. Model 1835 Musket was a .69 caliber smoothbore flintlock, with a 42-inch barrel and an overall length of 58 inches. It replaced the previous model 1822 musket, and often is viewed as a further development of that design. It was really only an incremental change, and many differences involved how the musket was produced, rather than the actual design. The emphasis was on making some interchangeable parts, and to use more accurate manufacturing methods. This paved the way for the later model of 1842, the first U.S. musket to have fully interchangeable parts.

The Model 1835 was produced by the Springfield Armory, Harpers Ferry Armory, and numerous other contractors. It was eventually superseded by the model 1840 and 1842 muskets, the former of which was originally made in Flintlock, but most were converted to percussion before they made it to the field. The 1842 was only made in percussion.

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. This helped to standardize the types of ammunition carried by the soldiers in the field.

The outbreak of the Civil War in the United States created a large need for percussion muskets, as the number of modern firearms currently on hand was far short of what was needed. To fill this need, many muskets converted to percussion in the 1840s-1850s were pressed back into service.

This example was produced at the Harpers Ferry Arsenal itself, as indicated by the clear markings on the lock plate under the pan and on the tail: 

The musket was then converted to percussion in 1855, most likely by HEWES & PHILLIPS of Newark, New Jersey. This firm converted muskets by being fitting them with a new breech plug and breech end, incorporating a "built-in" Percussion Cap nipple to back end of the barrel. This type of conversion resulted in total removal of the original brass powder pan. The mounting points for the frizzen and frizzen spring can still be seen, though they are plugged. The "overstamped" date was most often used by this company. More simple conversions just inserted a cap bolster, but this was a far more refined and effective conversion.

The musket still bears a clear E R inspectors cartouche on the stock above the trigger. It also is marked on the bottom of the butt stock with JOS in an oval and WHY.. There are additional markings on various components. The entire weapon has been fully cleaned to its very best Display condition. There are a few small chunks of wood missing around the lock, but otherwise the stock is very good. The lock functions, holding correctly at half cock, and firing at full. The bore is clean, and still shows rifling. The cap nipple is unfortunately broken off in the channel, but could be extracted.

A fine example of an older musket converted for service in the 1850s, and possibly used during the Civil War. Ready to display!

History of the Model 1835 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.

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1839 - converted 1855
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 42 Inches
Overall Length: 57 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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