| Springfield Model 1816 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Musket |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1816–1865 |
| Used by | |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Eli Whitney |
| Designed | 1816 |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Produced | |
| No. built | c. 700,000 |
| Variants | Percussion,rifled musket (conversions) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 10 lb (4.5 kg) |
| Length | 58.0 in (1,470 mm) |
| Barrel length | 42.0 in (1,070 mm) |
| Cartridge |
|
| Caliber | .69 in (17.526 mm) |
| Action |
|
| Rate of fire | User dependent; usually 2 to 3 rounds per minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,000 ft/s (300 m/s) to 1,200 ft/s (370 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 100 to 200 yards, in reality 50 to 75 yards |
| Maximum firing range | 300 yd (275 m)[2] |
| Feed system | Muzzle-loaded |
| Sights | Afront sight cast into the upper barrel band, rear sight (percussion/rifled conversion) |
TheSpringfield Model 1816 (M1816) was a .69caliber flintlockmusket manufactured in theUnited States during the early 19th century.
TheWar of 1812 had revealed many weaknesses in American muskets. TheSpringfield Model 1812 was created in an attempt to improve both the design and manufacture of the musket. The Model 1816 made further improvements, and replaced the Model 1812. The Model 1812 had borrowed heavily from the design of the FrenchCharleville Model 1777, and this design was retained for the Model 1816. The Model 1816 had a 42-inch (107 cm) long .69 calibersmoothbore barrel, similar to the Model 1812, but had a longer lock plate, a shortertrigger guard, and a longerbayonet than the Model 1812. The Model 1816 also had a more straight linedstock. The overall length of the weapon was 58 inches (147 cm).[3]
The Model 1816 musket was originally manufactured at theSpringfield andHarpers Ferry armories along with independentcontractors between 1816 and 1844. Around 700,000 were made, more than any other flintlock inU.S. history.[4]
The Model 1816 was originallymanufactured as aflintlock musket. Like many flintlock muskets, many of these were later converted topercussion cap, as the percussion cap system was much more reliable and weather resistant. Some also had their barrelsrifled as well.
This model ofSpringfield musket was used byTexans during theTexas Revolution and by theU.S. Army andmilitia during theMexican–American War. During this conflict, the flintlock version of the Model 1816 was preferred by U.S. regular forces, due to percussion cap supply concerns.[5]
It was also used during the early years of theAmerican Civil War until around 1862. The large majority of Model 1816 muskets had been converted to percussion firing by 1860. Muskets made prior to 1821 were considered too outdated to be serviceable weapons and were not converted. Most of them were inSouthern arsenals and a large number ofConfederate soldiers for the first year of theCivil War had the misfortune of carrying flintlock muskets, some of which dated back to the War of 1812.
Many improvements to the Model 1816 were made, producing theSpringfield Model 1822,Springfield Model 1835,Springfield Model 1840, andSpringfield Model 1842.U.S. Ordnance Department referred to these as different models, but in other U.S. government documents they are referred to as a continuation of the Model 1816 with the first model designated as the Type I, the Model 1822 as the Type II, and the Model 1835 as the Type III.[3] Modern histories are similarly inconsistent in thenomenclature of these weapons.
| Preceded by | United States Army rifle 1816–1822 | Succeeded by |
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