Musket Identification - Take II

[otisrush]

You all were so helpful with my other piece I'd like to throw up pics of another item I have.

This one is marked Springfield 1859. It is smooth bore. In my quick Wikipedia reading I'm guessing that this is a model 1842 that was made in 1859? Is that how the 1859 mark should be interpreted? Any explanation of the various barrel stamps I'd find interesting, as well as the mark on stock on the left side - it looks like "JW" or "TW" or something like that.

Thanks again! I very greatly appreciate it!

OR

 

[Frederick14Va]

Appears to be a Model-1816 Springfield.. Originally flintlock and has been converted to percussion (Model 1842's were all made as percussion arms) the date on the lock is probably 1839, rather than 1859....

The cartouche on the opposite side of the lock is "JW" which is the arms inspector/approval/acceptance stamp for Capt John Williamson who served as an arms inspector from 1838-1849...

 

[otisrush]

You're right! It does say 1839. Thanks!

 

[rebelyell]

That is a nice one.

 

[Tin cup]

I love seeing post's like this!

Kevin Dally

 

[Tin cup]

I really wish they had made an exact repro of this conversion of the 1816/22 musket!

Kevin Dally

 

[Frederick14Va]

I really wish they had made an exact repro of this conversion of the 1816/22 musket!

Kevin Dally

I second that motion.... would love to get an 1816... Only repro Im aware of is the Pedersoli made one with the side attached (colt style) bolster...

 

[frontrank2]

Very nice musket. I'm green with envy.

 

[Tin cup]

What is the "P" stamping in front of the Eagle Head, V stamps on the barrel?

Kevin Dally

 

[Jobe Holiday]

The "V" is for "Viewed" meaning everything looks correct, and the "P" is for "Proofed", meaning the barrel was proof fired.
J.

 

[Tin cup]

The "V" is for "Viewed" meaning everything looks correct, and the "P" is for "Proofed", meaning the barrel was proof fired.
J.

I wondered about that, just that the "P" stamping was different than what I had seen on other barrels. I have a friend who has several original 1816's, next time I'm down his way I'll take a closer look at his examples.

Kevin Dally

 

[Jobe Holiday]

otisrush - I must take a moment to tell you the two arms you have so kindly shared with us are in remarkable and rarely seen condition!
J.

 

[otisrush]

Thank you. My dad loved the Civil War as well as firearms of all types.

I also have a Remington Army New Model I'll post pics of in a week or so. I so enjoy getting info from the experts here. I'd be interested to hear what pearls of wisdom people may have about it.

OR

 

[Frederick14Va]

I wondered about that, just that the "P" stamping was different than what I had seen on other barrels. I have a friend who has several original 1816's, next time I'm down his way I'll take a closer look at his examples.

Kevin Dally

Springfield made arms will habitually have the barrel inspection marks in a neat row... V over P, over Eagle. Some of the contracted arms made by others I've seen them in various arrangements including the same as above... Depending on the source the "V" can also be found defined as meaning "Verified".... The "P" of course being "Proofed"...

Here another 1816 contract arm barrel stampings like the one above...

The arrangement we commonly see on most Springfield made arms

 

[kel1985]

Beautiful piece, would love one of my own!

 

[Craig L Barry]

It is unusual to find a US model musket of early vintage in such good condition...those got hard use early in the war, and often did service in earlier wars as well. There is not a decent reproduction (ie: not made in India) of the cone in barrel conversion of the US model 1816/22. To do it the gunsmith has to bore a hole in the top of the barrel itself, then build up a cone seat and tap into that a couple threads to hold the cone. Todd Watts and I did one and it was kind of dicey. I never trusted it completely because in drilling in to the top of the barrel and building up the cone seat the integrity of the barrel is compromised slightly. Hence the Pedersoli factory opted for the drum type or "Colt" conversion (although it is not a true Colt conversion) which while less commonly encountered it is certainly safer to perform.

 

[kevikens]

I saw a similar arm (model 1816) in similar very nice condition a Delaware gun shop a few weeks ago. Price tag, $2,000. He'll get it, too.