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Item No.:	9461	Price :	$2,350.00
Item :	SUPERB, HEWES & PHILLIPS PERCUSSION CONVERSION OF MODEL 1816 FLINTLOCK MUSKET

Description :

This is a contract percussion conversion of a U.S. Model 1816 Flintlock Musket made by Springfield Armory in 1835. Muskets of this type were used in large numbers by both sides during the Civil War. With thousands of flintlock muskets sitting in arsenals, the government began converting them to percussion in 1847. With the outbreak of war, the conversion programs swung into full gear. Both government arsenals and private contractors converted muskets in large numbers. As late as Gettysburg in 1863, over 60% of the arms on the field were large caliber smooth bore muskets. This is a known type contract conversion musket done by Hewes & Phillips of Newark, New Jersey in 1862. H&P did two distinct types of conversion. The first type was for the most part done for the state of New Jersey. This is a 2nd type, done for the U.S. Government. It is distinguished by the large percussion bolster marked "H&P" and the conversion date "1862" stamped on top of the barrel. The bolster does not have a clean out screw. The gun has been fitted with sights, but the .69 caliber barrel has been left with a smooth bore. This musket is in excellent condition, looking as if the conversion was done yesterday. It remains nearly 100% armory bright with just a tiny speck or two of patina. The rear sight retains 100% of its blued finish. The mechanics are excellent with the lock working perfectly. The smooth bore is excellent and mirror bright. The stock is very fine with just a few tiny dings that probably date to the gun's service prior to being converted. There are two crisp inspector's cartouches on the left flat of the stock. I honestly don't believe that the musket was ever issued after conversion. If you are a collector that favors high condition, this is one of the best M1816 conversions that I have ever seen. Stock no. 25267

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