Springfield Model 1812 Musket
Encyclopedia
The Springfield Model 1812 Musket is a .69 caliber, flintlock
musket produced by the Springfield Armory
.
The war of 1812 revealed many weaknesses in the earlier Model 1795 Musket
. The Model 1812 was an attempt to improve both the design and manufacturing process of the musket. The design borrowed heavily from the French Charleville model 1777 musket
. The Springfield Model 1812 musket arrived too late to be of use in the war of 1812 but would later become standard issue to regular infantry and militia units.
The Model 1812 was a .69 caliber smooth bore musket, with a 42 inch barrel and a 54 inch stock, and a total length of 57 inches. The Model 1812 was produced only at Springfield: the M1795 would continue in production at Harpers Ferry into 1818.
The Model 1812 was produced in a quantity of almost 30,000 between the years 1814 and 1816. It was replaced by the Model 1816 Musket
. However, the Model 1812 remained in service for many years, and was even used in the American Civil War
, mostly by Confederate forces. By the start of the Civil war, the weapon was considered to be an old and obsolete, but was needed to fill arms shortages.
Some Model 1812 muskets were later converted to percussion lock firing mechanisms. The percussion cap
system was much more reliable and weatherproof than the flintlock system used on the Model 1812.
Flintlock
Flintlock is the general term for any firearm based on the flintlock mechanism. The term may also apply to the mechanism itself. Introduced at the beginning of the 17th century, the flintlock rapidly replaced earlier firearm-ignition technologies, such as the doglock, matchlock and wheellock...
musket produced by the Springfield Armory
Springfield Armory
The Springfield Armory, located in the City of Springfield, Massachusetts - from 1777 until its closing in 1968 - was the primary center for the manufacture of U.S. military firearms. After its controversial closing during the Vietnam War, the Springfield Armory was declared Western Massachusetts'...
.
The war of 1812 revealed many weaknesses in the earlier Model 1795 Musket
Model 1795 Musket
thumbThe Model 1795 Musket was a .69 caliber flintlock musket produced in the late 18th and early 19th century at both the Springfield and Harper's Ferry US Armories.The Model 1795 was the first musket to be produced in the United States...
. The Model 1812 was an attempt to improve both the design and manufacturing process of the musket. The design borrowed heavily from the French Charleville model 1777 musket
Charleville musket
The Charleville muskets were .69 caliber French muskets used in the 18th century.- History :Marin le Bourgeoys created the first true flintlock weapons for King Louis XIII shortly after his accession to the throne in 1610. Throughout the 17th century, flintlock muskets were produced in a wide...
. The Springfield Model 1812 musket arrived too late to be of use in the war of 1812 but would later become standard issue to regular infantry and militia units.
The Model 1812 was a .69 caliber smooth bore musket, with a 42 inch barrel and a 54 inch stock, and a total length of 57 inches. The Model 1812 was produced only at Springfield: the M1795 would continue in production at Harpers Ferry into 1818.
The Model 1812 was produced in a quantity of almost 30,000 between the years 1814 and 1816. It was replaced by the Model 1816 Musket
Model 1816 Musket
thumbThe US Model 1816 Musket was a .69 caliber flintlock musket used in the United States during the early 19th century.-History:The War of 1812 had revealed many weaknesses in American muskets. The Model 1812 Musket was created in an attempt to improve both the design and manufacture of the...
. However, the Model 1812 remained in service for many years, and was even used in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, mostly by Confederate forces. By the start of the Civil war, the weapon was considered to be an old and obsolete, but was needed to fill arms shortages.
Some Model 1812 muskets were later converted to percussion lock firing mechanisms. The percussion cap
Percussion cap
The percussion cap, introduced around 1830, was the crucial invention that enabled muzzleloading firearms to fire reliably in any weather.Before this development, firearms used flintlock ignition systems which produced flint-on-steel sparks to ignite a pan of priming powder and thereby fire the...
system was much more reliable and weatherproof than the flintlock system used on the Model 1812.
See also
- List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Springfield musketSpringfield musketSpringfield musket may refer to any one of several types of small arms produced by the Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts, for the United States armed forces. In modern times, these muskets are commonly referred to by their date of design followed by the name Springfield . However, U.S...
- musketMusketA musket is a muzzle-loaded, smooth bore long gun, fired from the shoulder. Muskets were designed for use by infantry. A soldier armed with a musket had the designation musketman or musketeer....