This handsome, heavy, full-stock, percussion cap and ball rifled musket was originally a M1816 type 2 or type 3 musket altered by Frankford Arsenal with the new Maynard Type primer locks and percussion bolsters made by the Remington Arms Co of New York.  Remington Arms contracted with the government between 1856 to 1859 for 20,000 Maynard primer locks and bolsters and delivered all to Philadelphia’s Frankford Arsenal location. The primer lock device was centered on the lockplate and had a kidney-shaped hinged door while the bolster /nipple was extra long to fit the Maynard device.  A tape or strip of narrow varnished paper holding small dabs of fulminate of mercury was inserted into the hinged door device.  When the hammer was cocked, an internal pawl rotated the tape and allowed the fulminate to rest atop the nipple. 

The .69 caliber musket, rifled by the arsenal, measures 57½” overall in length and has a 42¼” long round barrel matched to a one-piece stock of dark walnut.  Stack shows a fine single government cartouche.  All gunmetal, including the barrel, wears a dark plum / brown patina.  No rear sight and no original colors show on the metal.  Furniture is iron including the high spur hammer buttstrap, trigger guard, lockplate, swivels and barrel bands.   Barrel exhibits scattered light scratches to the surface area.  Barrel is stamped on the breech top areas with “US”  / “P” / N.J.” Metal edges are sharp. Lockplate has the maker’s mark “REMINGTON’S / ILION N.Y.  /  1857  / U.S.” behind the hammer.  Barrel tang is marked “1857”.  Many of these rifled muskets saw Civil War duty while 600 units saw naval service.  Two thousand muskets were converted for the State of New Jersey as this specimen is.   Original ramrod with its button-head measures 42” long. Bore is strong and bright with good rifling.

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