This Model 1816 Harpers Ferry smoothbore .69 caliber contract musket was altered from flintlock to percussion likely by the William B. & Cyrus Fisher firm of Lynchburg, VA. The partnership converted mostly Virginia muskets to percussion and later altered other types of state muskets.

This .69 caliber smoothbore, single-shot musket is in good condition overall save for the shoulder stock area behind the hammer that suffers major repairs from cracking. The barrel has also been shortened to 34” long. Lockplate area is dark and exhibits moderate oxidation overall. Marked “HARPERS / FERRY / 1820” behind the hammer while the rest of the plate is plain. Forward end of the flat lockplate is beveled while the rear or tail section is rounded. Sideplate is dark and pitted. Roman numerals “1 1” marked on back of lockplate, on the bottom of the barrel, and on the inside wood stock channel cutout. Another characteristic of the Fisher conversion was the distinctive percussion bolster brazed to the right side of the barrel. Hammer is similar to the Enfield Model 1842 Confederate-made hammer with no knurling on its high 1 3/8” spur.

Barrel, with no rear sight, exhibits a surface that has moderate to heavy pitting overall and dark brown patina. Three iron spring bands secure barrel to the stock. Upper barrel band has been fitted to the stock and has the spring behind the band. Sling swivels are mounted on the triggerguard and the middle band. An iron blade-shaped front sight is mounted on the upper barrel band. Bore is dark.

Dark black walnut stock has been decorated with original hand-checkering at the wrist area. In addition to a very crude repair at the wood at the barrel tang, the full-piece walnut stock sports highly detailed decorations of four inlaid silver 6-point stars spaced on each side of the forend behind the lower and middle band. The left side of the shoulder stock sports a crudely cut, inlaid silver spreadwinged eagle surrounded with five inlaid 6-point stars, also of silver. Right side of stock exhibits an inlaid ‘S-shaped’ medallion. Original button-head ramrod. Has both sling swivels, one at the middle band and one at the triggerguard. A veteran representative Confederate-altered M1816.

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