MODEL 1816 CONE CONVERSION MUSKET TENTATIVELY IDENTIFIED TO J. N. VANCE, 30TH MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER

$7,750.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: 1000-107

Musket is a smoothbore .69 single shot muzzleloader in overall good condition.

The barrel has a surface that is mostly dark with streaks of lighter areas. The brass blade front sight is mounted on the rear of the front barrel band. There is no rear sight. Barrel is heavily pitted in the area around the breech and the only visible marking is the date “1825” on the barrel tang. Bore is dark and needs cleaning.

Iron lockplate and hammer are semi-dark to match the barrel. Lockplate has a rounded beveled front with a pointed rear that is flush with the stock. Forward of the hammer is a clear spread-winged eagle over “US.” At rear of the hammer is “SPRINGFIELD 1823” in three lines. The weapon was originally a flintlock but was converted to percussion by the cone conversion method. All external lock parts were removed and holes plugged. The brass pan was ground flush with the lock surface and the remaining small cavity filled with brass to give a level squared off profile along the top. The vent hole was filled in and a threaded hole cut into the top of the barrel, offset toward the lock, into which a nipple was screwed. Then a distinctive arsenal military hammer was added. According to Flayderman this method of conversion was only done by National Armories. This musket retains its original nipple and the action works well.

Stock is full length and shows the usual small dings and dents consistent with age. Forward of the lock are two small horizontal cracks each about 0.50 an inch long. Both have their origin at the front of the lock edge, one at top and one at dead center. There are also two small closed cracks in the area of the barrel tang. One is 1.00 inch long and the other 0.50 an inch. There is also a minor slightly open crack emanating from the upper lock screw head. The flat opposite the lock has two faint inspector’s cartouche marks. This same area has a clearly carved letter “A” and what looks to be part of a “V.” The left butt has another carved “A” and the date “186-“ Clearly carved into the right butt is “J. N. VANCE” and “MAY 8, 1862.”

All three barrel bands, triggerguard and buttplate match the rest of the iron on the weapon. Butt has a strong “US” stamp and both sling swivels are present however the lower one, attached to the bow of the triggerguard, is broken on one end. Button head ramrod is full length with threaded tip.

Records show a J. N. Vance enlisted in Company D, 30th Mississippi on May 1, 1862. With that enlistment date in mind it is assumed that the “MAY 8, 1862” carved on the weapon is the date this weapon was issued to Vance. Nothing else is known of his service as his date and method of discharge is not given. The 30th served with the Army of Mississippi and the Army of Tennessee seeing action at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and Franklin.

Records also show a J. N. Vance enlisting in the 4th Mississippi in 1864. Without knowing the discharge information on the J. N. Vance in the 30th Mississippi it is impossible to know if this is the same man.

Nice example of a Model 16 conversion with a carved ID that is attractively done. [ad]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.

THANK YOU!

Inquire About MODEL 1816 CONE CONVERSION MUSKET TENTATIVELY IDENTIFIED TO J. N. VANCE, 30TH MISSISSIPPI SOLDIER

For inquiries, please email us at [email protected]

featured item

US MARINE CORPS OFFICER’S ENGLISH MADE MAMALUKE WITH IVORY GRIP

Manufactured: England  Maker: Unmarked  Year: C1820-25  Model: Mamaluke Size: 35.8 inch blade, 1.21 wide  Condition: Excellent+ Tri-color blade - blue, gold and "white" of flat design. Ship's Mast, American Eagle, Standing Indian figure and… (870-76). Learn More »

Upcoming Events

29
Mar

April 13-14: Spring Gettysburg Military Antiques Show Learn More »

Instagram