| Model 1812 Musket | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Musket |
| Place of origin | United States of America |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1812–1865 |
| Used by | |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | ? |
| Designed | 1812 |
| Manufacturer | United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield |
| Produced | 1812–1816 |
| No. built | 60,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 10 lb (4.5 kg) |
| Length | 58.0 in (1,470 mm) |
| Barrel length | 42.0 in (1,070 mm) |
| Cartridge | Paper cartridge,musket ball (.65/16.510 mm) undersized to reduce the effects of powderfouling |
| Caliber | .69 (17.526 mm) |
| Barrels | Smoothbore |
| Action | Flintlock |
| Rate of fire | User dependent; usually 2 to 3 rounds every 1 minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,000 to 1,200 ft/s (300 to 370 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 100 to 200 yards, in reality 50 to 75 yards |
| Maximum firing range | 300 yd (275 m)[1] |
| Feed system | Muzzle-loaded |
| Sights | Afront sight cast into the barrel band |
TheSpringfield Model 1812 Musket is a .69caliber, flintlock musket manufactured by theSpringfield Armory.
The War of 1812 revealed many weaknesses in the earlierModel 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 FrenchCharleville model 1777 musket.[2] The Springfield Model 1812 musket arrived too late to be of use in the War of 1812 but would later become standard issue toregular infantry andmilitia units.[3]
The Model 1812 was a .69 calibersmoothbore musket, with a 42-inch (107 cm) barrel and a 54-inch (137 cm) stock, and a total length of 57-inch (145 cm). The Model 1812 was produced only at Springfield: the M1795 would continue in production at Harpers Ferry into 1818.[4]
The Model 1812 was produced in a quantity of almost 30,000 between the years 1814 and 1816. It was replaced by theModel 1816 Musket. However, the Model 1812 remained in service for many years, and was even used in theAmerican Civil War, mostly by theConfederate forces. By the start of the Civil war, the weapon was considered to be old and obsolete but was needed to fill arms shortages.[5]
Some Model 1812 muskets were later converted topercussion lock firing mechanisms. Thepercussion cap system was much more reliable andweatherproof than theflintlock system used on the Model 1812 in its original configuration.
| Preceded by | United States Army rifle 1812-1816 | Succeeded by |