22 Iowa INF

[1903sprfld]

I have read in the 22 Iowa history that after the fall of Vicksburg they traded there converted flintlocks for captured Enfields . Does anyone know what type of converted muskets they carried I am guessing 1816 muskets .

 

[vmicraig]

That would be my guess, although it could have been the M1840 (aka M1835) - 30,421 produced in '49-'51 with 26,841 converted to percussion in '49-'51, and more altered at a later date. Conversions occurred all the way into the late '60's.

Of all the flintlocks held in the National Armories (>700K) by 1848, everything made prior to 1812 was considered unserviceable and not worth repairing, so that rules out almost everything made prior to the M1816 except for the M1814, which is unlikely since only 2K were produced and sold to individual states.

 

[1903sprfld]

could they have been issued Austrian imports

 

[vmicraig]

could they have been issued Austrian imports

Do you mean in lieu of the Enfield's, or originally in Flintlock form? I don't know what the 22 was issued, but if it was Austrian, it was likely the 1854 Lorenz, as most of your Austrian imports were of that model or Muster. They are percussion, so if I had to guess again, I'd say no. Someone more knowledgeable than me will certainly be chiming in soon.

 

[johan_steele]

M1816 percussion conversions. Some Iowa units received French or Belgian arms that had been converted from flintlock as well. Those were often referred to generically as "bright Belgians"

 

[UCVRelics]

here is a historical record of the 22nd which might have your answer. If it doesn't you might want to search the Iowa archives and search histories of the 22nd and the Iowa ordnance records in the state archives.

http://iagenweb.org/civilwar/books/logan/mil506.htm

 

[1903sprfld]

thanks for the Link but I have been there before and did not find anything. I have a book on the 22 history written by a member of the 22. I will go back and look through that again. I am trying to figure out what they were armed with so I could add n example to me collection

 

[vmicraig]

M1816 percussion conversions. Some Iowa units received French or Belgian arms that had been converted from flintlock as well. Those were often referred to generically as "bright Belgians"

Any idea on the number of "brights" that actually made it to US soil? Any side in particular?