Springfield Model 1812 Musket

The design borrowed heavily from the French Charleville Model 1777. The Model 1812 arrived too late to be of use in the War of 1812 but would later become standard to regular infantry and militia units. But the Springfield M1808 flintlock musket, Type II, filled the need for a weapon for new recruits. The Model 1812 was a.69 caliber smoothbore musket, with a 42 in barrel and a 54 in stock, and a total length of 58 in. The Model 1812 was produced only at Springfield Armory and by independent contractors: the Model 1795 would continue in production at Harpers Ferry Armory into 1819. The Model 1812 was produced in a quantity of almost 30,000 between the years 1814 and 1816. The Flintlock Militia Musket contract, crafted by J. Bishop, manufactured circa 1832, was specifically commissioned for the Philadelphia militia, is designated as unrelated Model 12. The musket bears a resemblance to the British Brown Bess, reflecting the prevailing provincial sentiment regarding the limited standing army of that era. Produced exemplifies the significant role played by contract musket manufacturers in equipping the nascent United State militia. It was used for the Texas War of Independence. Some Model 1812 muskets were converted to percussion lock firing mechanisms as the percussion cap system was much more reliable and weather resistant than the flintlock system used on the Model 1812 in its original configuration. It was replaced by the Springfield Model 1816. However, the Model 1812 remained in service for many years, and was even used in the early Florida campaigns and American Civil War, mostly by the Confederate forces.

• Name — Springfield Model 1812 • Origin — United States • Type — Flintlock musket Percussion lock musket (conversion) • Is Ranged — yes • Service — 1814–1865 • Used By — United States Republic of Texas (Long Republic) Confederate States • Designer — Eli Whitney • Design Date — 1812 • Manufacturer — Springfield Armory Various private contractors • Production Date — 1814–1816 • Number — c. 30,000 • Weight — 9 lb • Length — 58 in • Part Length — 42 in • Cartridge — Paper cartridge, buck and ball/musket ball (.65/16.510 mm) undersized to reduce the effects of powder fouling • Caliber —.69 in (17.526 mm) • Action — Flintlock/percussion lock (conversion) • Rate — User dependent; usually 2 to 3 rounds per minute • Velocity — 1000 ft/s to 1200 ft/s • Range — 50 to • Max Range — 150 to • Feed — Muzzle-loaded • Sights — A front sight cast into the upper barrel band • Illustration — Springfield Model 1812 percussion lock conversion

Springfield Model 1812 Musket is associated with United States. Classified as a musket. Connected to 1 other published record in the VALÉORINE Encyclopedia.