United States Springfield Model 1795 Musket .69 Cal Flintlock Rifle Antique
SOLD FOR: $1,625
WOA#: WY240229RK001
Make: United States Armory and Arsenal at Springfield
Model: Model 1795 Musket
Serial#: NSN
Year of Manufacture: 1812
Caliber: .69 Cal
Action Type: Muzzleloader, flintlock
Markings: The lock plate is marked “US”, with a federal eagle, “Springfield”, and “1812”. The left side of the barrel is marked “P”, with an eagle head stamp, and “V”. The bottom of the trigger plate is marked “SP”. The top of the buttplate is marked “1812”. The left side of the buttstock has been carved with a backwards ‘N’ and “P”.
Barrel Length: 44.5”
Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a shallow blade. There is no rear sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The wood stock has a straight grip, metal nose cap with cut out for the included ramrod, barrel band with sling loop, barrel band, trigger guard assembly mounted sling loop, and metal buttplate. The buttplate is covered in oxidation and there are areas of pitting throughout. There are compression marks, scuffs, and scratches throughout the wood. There are two cracks on the left side of the stock coming off of the side plate, a large crack on the right side of the stock at the bottom left corner of the lock plate and two at the bottom front corner, and a crack at the heel of the buttstock coming off the buttplate. There is a long cut on the right side of the buttstock. There is wear along the edges of the ramrod channel. The LOP measures 12.5” from the front of the trigger to the rear of the buttplate. The stock rates in about Fair overall condition.
Type of Finish: Patina
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The smoothbore is dark with even rust and stubborn fouling throughout. There is no visible heavy pitting present.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 3 out of 10.
Most antique firearms have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the use of black powder. When fired, black powder reacts corrosively. NRA Antique Firearm Conditions Standards are quite lenient for bores. In some cases, the NRA standards disregarded the bore’s condition for collectors’ firearms.
Overall Condition: The finish on all the metal parts has turned to a patina. There are scuffs, scratches, and areas of oxidation throughout. There is tarnish to the brass on the powder plate cover as well as a large amount of verdigris. The screw heads show moderate to heavy use. The markings are worn from time and the patina. Overall, this rifle rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this musket. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box Paperwork and Accessories: The musket comes with a piece of gunflint and a brass powder cover installed.
Our Assessment: The Model 1795 was the first musket to be produced for the United States Armed Forces by the Springfield Arsenal. Based on the French Charleville Model 1763/66 which was used in large numbers by the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, the 1795 was the standard long arm of the US through the War of 1812. The 1795 was made with mostly hand-crafted parts which created interchangeability and the manufacturing process. Improvements were made to rectify these issues, resulting in the Model 1812. This example of a Model 1795 was made in 1812, which was one of the final years before production was ended. The stock has numerous cracks around the lock plate. The finish on the metal has been almost entirely converted to a patina and the brass on the powder plate has areas of tarnish. The smoothbore has rust and fouling throughout, though there does not appear to be any heavy pitting. Given the cracks in the stock, shooting this musket would perhaps be inadvisable. Despite that, this is a good example of the first domestically produced United States long arm, a 212 year old one at that. Please see our photos.
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