M1816 Type I. .69 caliber ball. Springfield, Massachusetts: 1820. Lockplate stamped with a federal eagle and "US," and "Spring / Field / 1820" to the rear of the hammer. The stock is carved “3D WARD.” Breach with a depressed “p” in an oval firing proof, the US Eagle Head and a V. The stock flat has semi-legible script “ET” cartouche. Behind the trigger guard, “S” script cartouche. Barrel 41 3/4 in. Overall 57 3/4 in. long.

Most of the metal is smooth with a thick, untouched, chocolate patina over all of the surfaces. The breech area exhibits light to moderate pitting, typical of percussion arms that saw heavy service. The lock mechanically works quite well. The bore is dark brown and shows scattered pitting along its length. Period carving “3D” followed by the name “Ward” stamped in single letters. Likely William Ward of Company D of the 3-month 3rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who was mustered into service on 19 April 1861. It is completely original sans the replaced nipple.

Originally manufactured at the Springfield and Harpers Ferry armories between 1816 and 1844, m1816s were abundant weapons during the beginning of the Civil War. Many m1816s have gone through a conversion from flintlock to percussion, and such is the case with this particular example. This particular example, however, is a relatively rare alteration of the US m1816 Musket. During the first years of the Civil War, Miles Greenwood of Cincinnati, Ohio, was charged with performing alterations on the muskets by the state of Ohio. For this particular model, Greenwood modified it by adding rifling as well as long-range rear sights.

This beautiful example of a relatively scarce rifled and sighted US m1816 alteration by Miles Greenwood is only made greater by the interesting connection to a specific soldier within the Union army. 

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Firearm, Colt, Pistol, Revolver, Rifle, Musket, Smith and Wesson, Springfield]