First flintlock

Greetings all,

Well, earlier this month I had a run of bad luck where I lost out on two early 15th century tiller hand-cannons and a matchlock allegedly from the Emden arsenal. So with that money burning holes in my pockets, I snapped up this one when I saw it - of all places! - on Guns America. It was listed as a model 1816, which of course it is not - it is rather an early Type III model 1812. This being my first acquisition of such antiquity, I of course hope you experts will chime in, but I believe it to be in its original flintlock state. The lock seems to function pretty well - it holds rock-solid at half-cock, and although it needs a little encouragement at full-cock, once it catches, it holds well. With a piece of wood in the jaws, it snaps well and after a little oil, the frizzen and pan pop right open like they should.

https://i.imgur.com/eXCOayPh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/XK91sjCh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/X02LFJ3h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9nb1wt3h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9Fh72oeh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/m1j8Y1Nh.jpg

This screw; the cock screw; the cock and jaw; and the frizzen/pan cover all show the same "X" assembly marking.

https://i.imgur.com/1AAe9qhh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Z9l8Zh6h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/maqUsHLh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/XTrC8Chh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hjHrHtih.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/N6Vv55Vh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/BEggZkSh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CfKmR6sh.jpg

The stock does have the characteristic cheek rest recess - this must have been one of the last to have this buttstock configuration, before the change to the stock shape that characterized the later Type III 1812s and the 1816s.

https://i.imgur.com/jvaMKjJh.jpg

It doesn't photograph well, but there's a trace of indentations where the date should be on the buttplate tang.

https://i.imgur.com/Ht7VDUAh.jpg

Also not photographing well are the faintest residual cartouches. (Or perhaps they're just in my imagination? All I know is they *should* be there, LOL.)

https://i.imgur.com/B0GZ7Q8h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/NFGdDSRh.jpg

Rounding out the markings are some "D" stamps on the sideplate, with matching ones on the rear and middle barrel bands; what looks like an "LD" or "LO" under the trigger plate; and an "L" and possibly a "P" under the frizzen/pan spring:

https://i.imgur.com/CaEA70Hh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/OwkKP2zh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/fBX8S99h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rqzIXskh.jpg

The bore is crusty, but hey, it's not for winning shooting matches.

https://i.imgur.com/m6wkz3Jh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hTjdmmch.jpg

And last but certainly not least, it's definitely not loaded. The ramrod goes all the way in, and if I turn my bore light around, I can see the shine through the touch-hole.

https://i.imgur.com/rkHQKaih.jpg

The fun continues - who knows what the internet will bring next!

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Steve

Thank you sir!

Got some flints and tested her out:

https://youtu.be/VtHVhIUQffY

Nice find . . . .and CONGRATS on taking some GREAT photos!

It looks like many of the parts have the letter X. Very nice early piece. I have a 1813 dated lock with a butt plate dated 1816. With the square type band springs. Thanks for sharing.

A very interesting musket and great detail photography - thanks for sharing!

(I would love to know the screw threads used at Springfield Armory, in that era).

A Wonderful Flintlock musket!
Congratulations Garrett!!

Thanks gentlemen! I admit I'm pleased with this one. Will have to try and get it some companions of like vintage.