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. 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. There were even some subdivisions within the model numbers, with the Model 1828 being the last iteration of the 1822 before the 1835. Most model 1822 muskets were produced during the National Armory Brown period (c1822-1832), and had the barrel and furniture finished with brown lacquer.

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. This example does not look to have been converted then, but instead was converted later, during the U.S. Civil war. The frizzen and frizzen spring were removed, though the holes were not plugged, and the brass flash pan was mostly removed. It was then fitted with the style of hammer and "barrel" bolster usually used for Civil War era confederate conversions. These were a step up from the "Cone-in-Barrel" style conversions, though still not as good as those that replaced the entire breech.

This service used example was contractor produced, as indicated by the markings on the lock plate under the hammer:

And the markings on the lock plate tail:

W. L. Evans of Evansburg, Pennsylvania, sometimes referred to as Valley Forge, is a known contractor for early U.S. Flintlock muskets. He received contracts from the government for production of Model 1822 type muskets, and produced about 5000 circa 1825 to 1830. Of interest is that the early examples produced 1826-1828 had his last name misspelled as "EVENS" on the lock plate. Later examples made until 1832 had the name spelled correctly, such as the example we have here. Muskets produced by this manufacturer are highly desirable, as relatively few were ever made.

The musket's 42" smooth bore barrel still bears crisp inspection proofs of US / LS / "Sunken P" on the breech end, and there is also a partial 1830 date on the barrel tang. This indicates inspection by Luther Sage, who was known for inspecting "R. Johnson, Waters, Whitney, Pomeroy and Starr Muskets", however we have seen other period examples of Evans muskets with his markings. He was definitely active in this period, as we have had two muskets dated in the 1830s with his markings previously. There may be some markings on the left side of the stock, but they are very faint and not legible.

As per the pattern, the musket has all iron mounts, with the only brass component being the remains the flash pan, and it has both sling swivels still present, however the ramrod is missing. The lock is functional, but due to wear on the tumbler, it will fire at both half and full cock. The metalwork has a really nice light gray patina, showing wear from cleaning and oxidation removed in service. There is a good amount of powder burn around the barrel cap nipple cone bolster, and there is erosion to the stock in that era.

The wood stock shows a good amount of wear from use, and does look to have a repaired crack through the wrist going into the lock plate area. There is a good amount of wood erosion around the bottom of the ramrod channel, and around the barrel tang. Still, the wood does have a lovely color and patina of age.

A lovely stepping stone in the evolution of the U.S. Musket, converted to percussion for further use during the Civil war, with some very nice research potential! Ready to display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: 1830
Caliber: .69"
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 42 Inches
Overall Length: 57 3/4 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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