THE ONLY KNOWN 1822 DATED MODEL 1816 HARPERS FERRY MODEL FLINTLOCK MUSKET.

THE ONLY KNOWN 1822 DATED MODEL 1816 HARPERS FERRY MODEL FLINTLOCK MUSKET. SN NSN. Cal. 69. Model 1816 Harpers Ferry MODEL Muskets were produced beginning in 1822, and according to Peter Schmidt’s book U.S. Military Flintlock Muskets this is the one surviving Harpers Ferry MODEL Musket dated 1822. These Model Muskets have been incorrectly referred to in Ordnance Manuals as early as 1841 as Model 1822 Muskets. This one remaining Model Musket has a 42″ rnd bbl secured by three bbl bands with spring keepers. Front band is split with a half moon sight on rear strap and it has a bayonet lug atop the muzzle. Middle band has a sling loop with the rear sling loop through the trigger guard vs. mounted on a stud as in previous models. The breech end of bbl is marked in block letters “MODEL” with large “V” & “P” proofs with a large eagle’s head. Bbl is also marked with a small eagle’s head and an “S” as is on every visible part on musket. Tang is dated “1822” as is the lockplate. Lockplate has a small eagle and “US” in front of hammer with “HARPERS FERRY” and the date vertically behind the hammer. Mounted in a full length walnut stock with oval cartouche on left side panel. The rear spring keeper is not functioning and there is a small splinter of wood missing by the slot. These “MODEL” muskets were apparently the result of a long attempt by various inspectors and military officials to have the various government arsenals and private contractors produce arms with interchangeable parts. Both Springfield Armory & Harpers Ferry were directed to produce thirty arms each for comparison tests along with the various gauges & fixtures for manufacturing. Each station in the manufacturing process was to be equipped with a set of gauges to produce identical parts to be installed on the arms for future interchangeability, particularly for field repairs. This is one of the thirty “MODEL” arms produced by Harpers Ferry for that test. The Harpers Ferry design was finally accepted and subsequently produced. This lot is accompanied by, what appears to be, a full set of orig gauges dated “1832”. This model of flintlock musket was produced into the early 1840’s. Chapter 2 of Peter Schmidt’s book deals entirely with “Model” Muskets, and this musket is pictured many times in this excellent reference book. The chapter explains the difference between the Pattern Muskets made at Springfield and the Model Muskets made at Harpers Ferry. Chapter 3 of Peter Schmidt’s book pictures the 38 gauges used to ensure all muskets were made with interchangeable parts. This rare set of gauges accompany this musket and are pictured and explained in Schmidt’s book. The 30 MODEL Muskets produced at Harpers Ferry were selected as patterns to be used by contractors, probably accounting for why only this single example is known to have survived. This is a truly key addition to any serious American military or Harpers Ferry collection. PROVENANCE: This musket belonged to Gerald Fox, who sold it to Glode Requa, who sold it to Bill Guthman in 1959, who sold it to Richard Kennedy in 1975. Kennedy displayed the gun and gauges and won an award for them at a NRA national show. Bob Sadler, the present owner, purchased the gun from Dick Kennedy in 1995 after which it won a best single weapon award at the 1996 Baltimore gun show, a best-of-show award at the Forks of the Delaware gun show at Allentown, PA, and an American Society of Arms Collectors Display award. This musket was also pictured in the NRA catalog of their “Exceptional Arms Exhibit” and is pictured on pages 22 and 23 in their catalog of the exhibit, which is enclosed. R.Sadler Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Appears to be unfired retaining virtually all of its orig arsenal bright finish on bbl & bands with a dark lacquer appearing finish over lockplate, hammer & trigger guard. Stock has numerous small nicks & dings with a dressed splinter between the upper bands. Mechanics are crisp, strong bright bore full of grease. The set of gauges appear to be in very fine condition with some light to moderate pitting on a few pieces, otherwise they are bright metal in orig polish. 4-31949 (40,000-60,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1591	$36,800.00	THE ONLY KNOWN 1822 DATED MODEL 1816 HARPERS FERRY MODEL FLINTLOCK MUSKET. SN NSN. Cal. 69. Model 1816 Harpers Ferry MODEL Muskets were produced beginning in 1822, and according to Peter Schmidt’s book U.S. Military Flintlock Muskets this is the one surviving Harpers Ferry MODEL Musket dated 1822. These Model Muskets have been incorrectly referred to in Ordnance Manuals as early as 1841 as Model 1822 Muskets. This one remaining Model Musket has a 42″ rnd bbl secured by three bbl bands with spring keepers. Front band is split with a half moon sight on rear strap and it has a bayonet lug atop the muzzle. Middle band has a sling loop with the rear sling loop through the trigger guard vs. mounted on a stud as in previous models. The breech end of bbl is marked in block letters “MODEL” with large “V” & “P” proofs with a large eagle’s head. Bbl is also marked with a small eagle’s head and an “S” as is on every visible part on musket. Tang is dated “1822” as is the lockplate. Lockplate has a small eagle and “US” in front of hammer with “HARPERS FERRY” and the date vertically behind the hammer. Mounted in a full length walnut stock with oval cartouche on left side panel. The rear spring keeper is not functioning and there is a small splinter of wood missing by the slot. These “MODEL” muskets were apparently the result of a long attempt by various inspectors and military officials to have the various government arsenals and private contractors produce arms with interchangeable parts. Both Springfield Armory & Harpers Ferry were directed to produce thirty arms each for comparison tests along with the various gauges & fixtures for manufacturing. Each station in the manufacturing process was to be equipped with a set of gauges to produce identical parts to be installed on the arms for future interchangeability, particularly for field repairs. This is one of the thirty “MODEL” arms produced by Harpers Ferry for that test. The Harpers Ferry design was finally accepted and subsequently produced. This lot is accompanied by, what appears to be, a full set of orig gauges dated “1832”. This model of flintlock musket was produced into the early 1840’s. Chapter 2 of Peter Schmidt’s book deals entirely with “Model” Muskets, and this musket is pictured many times in this excellent reference book. The chapter explains the difference between the Pattern Muskets made at Springfield and the Model Muskets made at Harpers Ferry. Chapter 3 of Peter Schmidt’s book pictures the 38 gauges used to ensure all muskets were made with interchangeable parts. This rare set of gauges accompany this musket and are pictured and explained in Schmidt’s book. The 30 MODEL Muskets produced at Harpers Ferry were selected as patterns to be used by contractors, probably accounting for why only this single example is known to have survived. This is a truly key addition to any serious American military or Harpers Ferry collection. PROVENANCE: This musket belonged to Gerald Fox, who sold it to Glode Requa, who sold it to Bill Guthman in 1959, who sold it to Richard Kennedy in 1975. Kennedy displayed the gun and gauges and won an award for them at a NRA national show. Bob Sadler, the present owner, purchased the gun from Dick Kennedy in 1995 after which it won a best single weapon award at the 1996 Baltimore gun show, a best-of-show award at the Forks of the Delaware gun show at Allentown, PA, and an American Society of Arms Collectors Display award. This musket was also pictured in the NRA catalog of their “Exceptional Arms Exhibit” and is pictured on pages 22 and 23 in their catalog of the exhibit, which is enclosed. R.Sadler Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Appears to be unfired retaining virtually all of its orig arsenal bright finish on bbl & bands with a dark lacquer appearing finish over lockplate, hammer & trigger guard. Stock has numerous small nicks & dings with a dressed splinter between the upper bands. Mechanics are crisp, strong bright bore full of grease. The set of gauges appear to be in very fine condition with some light to moderate pitting on a few pieces, otherwise they are bright metal in orig polish. 4-31949 (40,000-60,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2008 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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