I would also suggest you get a copy of the book Springfield Armory Infantry Muskets 1795 to 1844 by Kent W. Johns, lots of detailed color photos of all parts.
Ramrod spoons weren't introduced until production of the M1840 started. The ramrod is either just slightly too long, or the ramrod channel has acquired some dirt or trash that has filled up the bottom a bit. The ramrod is antique, but it is not "correct" for the musket. I wouldn't bother with changing it though. It has probably been with the gun for a long time, and a correct ramrod will run $200 or better, and I would be hard pressed to justify spending that much money on an essentially cosmetic change on a gun of this value.
I think you will find the book I recommended very valuable for reference and it will show you great photos of correct ramrods. I did check tonight and your rod should not be hitting anything but wood. There is a drift pin for the trigger guard but you should not be hitting that especially with the rod being 39" and still sticking out past the barrel. Line the rod up against the musket and see where the end is lining up and that might give us a clue.Which one would be correct for the musket? I would think if it was hitting dirt I wouldn't hear a metallic clink where it hits. I'm not saying I would spend 200 for one but I would like to know which one is correct.
I pulled the barrel back out but could see nothing from that angle the rod would be hitting. I pulled the lock out but ramrod is below all that assembly. The only thing that could be stopping it is in the trigger guard assembly in the circled area which I was not able to get out.
Odd, since it seems like you're describing where the ramrod retaining spoon (#12 in this M1842 schematic https://taylorsfirearms.com/media/c...feb9a07f25cc79b7c2e426c/1/8/1842_rifled_1.jpg ) would be capable of blocking the ramrod channel if it was (for whatever reason) squished down.
I have attached some picsI think you will find the book I recommended very valuable for reference and it will show you great photos of correct ramrods. I did check tonight and your rod should not be hitting anything but wood. There is a drift pin for the trigger guard but you should not be hitting that especially with the rod being 39" and still sticking out past the barrel. Line the rod up against the musket and see where the end is lining up and that might give us a clue.
As Grayrock says, I agree it may not be an original factory m1816 rod, but I would bet a decent sum of money it is original to this specific musket. This very well could have been a battlefield replacement. I would highly suggest you do not replace it. Remember a conversion musket by its very existence is a modified original. This ramrod is part of its life story.
Am sitting here looking at it and that screw is a 1/2' above the rod, but will pull it today and see what happens.Have you tried removing the forward lock screw and then seeing if the ramrod will go in? I can't help but notice that the place where it stops in your photo above is about equal to where that screw passes through.
Number 14, held in place by 13. But if this model did not even have such a thing, then disregard. I've not handled muskets that old, just the 1842s and so on.Odd, since it seems like you're describing where the ramrod retaining spoon (#12 in this M1842 schematic https://taylorsfirearms.com/media/c...feb9a07f25cc79b7c2e426c/1/8/1842_rifled_1.jpg ) would be capable of blocking the ramrod channel if it was (for whatever reason) squished down.
Number 14, held in place by 13. But if this model did not even have such a thing, then disregard. I've not handled muskets that old, just the 1842s and so on.
There should be nothing in the stock in that area aligned with the ramrod channel that is metal. Could there be a broken piece of a ramrod down in there?!?! Your rod should be going past that area almost back to the trigger. As I discussed earlier the M1840 model introduced a metal stop bar ahead of the trigger. Yours would not have this.I have attached some pics
This is where the ramrod is level with the end of the barrel.
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This is where it is hitting something metal forcing the rod to stick out about one inch.
View attachment 410892
I am beginning to wonder if the barrel at some point was shortened maybe an inch due to some kind of damage. Just noticing the way it is not perfectly round at the end. This barrel is 41 7/8" from where the breech plug attaches to the end of the barrel. Would the ramrod sticking out the way it is affect the shooting of the gun in any way? Not that it matters, not shooting the gun anyway, just curious
View attachment 410893
Obviously, that screw shouldn't be the problem, but how often have you done some troubleshooting on something only to discover that the problem was something that couldn't possibly be happening? Either way, it's a simple thing to check in order to rule it out.Am sitting here looking at it and that screw is a 1/2' above the rod, but will pull it today and see what happens.
#12 is showing the barrel.
I don't see that part on mine, but I am far far from being an expert on these.