Longarm specimen is an original M1816, 1831-dated rifled musket made by the Springfield Arsenal of Springfield, Massachusetts. The flintlock longarm was converted to cap and ball via government contractor Hewes & Phillips of Newark, New Jersey in 1861. H&P utilized the ‘bolster type’ conversion and processed some 20,000 flint muskets to percussion.

This specimen is of H&P’s first-type alteration with the bolster clean out screw included and is marked as a New Jersey contract piece. Musket is a .69 caliber, single shot muzzleloader that retains its original parts in good condition and measures 57½” long. The 6¾” long, iron lockplate is flat with a raised front and tapered rear tail. Lockplate is stamped with a “spreadwinged eagle / U S” in front of the C-shaped hammer and stamped in three lines “SPRING / FIELD / 1831.” Plate coloring has a dark plum / gray patina.  Barrel surface lightly cleaned but has acquired a salt and pepper coloring with areas of moderate pitting. Light pitting with spots of oxidation visible on the upper breech area.

The black walnut stock is dark and appears to have been cleaned at one time. Stock flat exhibits a single government cartouche with no cracks, breaks, or repairs visible. Musket has a 42” long barrel secured to the stock by three iron bands. A small two-leaf rear sight is at the breech while the front sight is a pinched blade integral to the upper double band. A small bayo lug sits atop the muzzle 1½” from the tip. Barrel breech has stampings at the top that read “H & P”. Barrel tang shows the date “1861”. Left facet of the barrel breech has deep surcharge stampings “N .J” above the sideplate. The large trigger guard secures the first sling swivel while the middle barrel band supports the second swivel. Mechanics are good, very tight and crisp. Bore with semi-strong rifling with pitting the entire length of the barrel. No screws buggered. Sub-inspector marks found on various components. Musket retains its original button-head ramrod that has its threaded tip intact.

This original Springfield musket is a good M1816 conversion longarm likely used by some of the first New Jersey volunteers that went off the war in 1861.

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