1816 musket archeology and cleaning

[KentG]

I bought a formerly Belgian conversioned and then shotguned P&EW Blake 1829 musket from a friend who has too many fix it projects to finish up myself and use for living history. I am putting it back into flintlock order, but will hang on to the conversion parts (hammer and pan filler) as part of the gun's history and service life.

He had already expertly relengthened the barrel and plugged and welded the Belgian conversion, but had not done much else.

I started by taking all the parts off the shortened stock, ordering the missing bits, and began the "dig" for info.

As those familiar with the story know, the Eli Whitney attempted to make the first interchangable guns as part of his long running contracts. His nephews, Phineas and E. W. Blake took over after his death and continued to get contracts for US muskets. These guns were never interchangeable, as my cleaning showed.

Every original part - stock, buttplate, trigger guard/bow, sideplate, trigger, barrel, and breech plug, were marked in a hidden place with three lines, representing the Roman number III, as assembly numbers - to match up the non-interchangeable (but close) parts. Several sub-contractor or inspector marks came up out of the grime and rust with gentle cleaning. S on the buttplate and sideplate, JS under the trigger guard, CB on the front of the guard, C on the barrel and in the tang channel of the stock, H on the barrel and breech plug. Two sets of index marks for the barrel/plug - one from the original flint, the second likely from the conversion to percussion (checking the abomination of the Belgian conversion?)

Now its to make up a matched forearm - will be a chore to match the lovely patina of the old stock that is quite sound except around the flint burn area. Usual initials on the stock of a soldier long ago.

Pictures later when I get this more done, but I am excited to find so many of the parts are original to its making 180 years ago.

Kent

Information

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[gew8805]

Kent, did you ever get this one finished? Love to see pictures.

[grandpabear]

Don't like to look stupid, but what was it originally?
Got photos?

Thanks

[BubbaTheKid]

Friend of mine has a 2nd hand store. he recently took in an "N. Starr" Model 1816 converted to Caps lock via a Bolster Method. I'm looking for info before I post a thread with pics here. Obviously I am thinking of buying it and shooting it but want to know what I am about before "pulling the trigger" as it were... This is the only thread we have on Misurps mentioning Model 1816's =(

[jmoore]

Not quite the only thread, but it doesn't turn up often.

A few photos of a project and an actual mention in Post #4 are here:

ca.1833 Springfield Musket (shortened ) and a Germanic Cadet Musket- Projects!



But it's not much help. Realistically, all the US muskets up to ~1841 are but minor variations of a theme. All based on the French Charleville.

As far as shooting an original, approach the subject with a great deal of trepidation or madness, whichever suits you. Most aren't fit to be fired. Those that are fit for shooting are generally fairly pricey, even the conversions.

---------- Post added at 05:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:48 PM ----------





One of these days this 'un will get a photo thread, but for some reason I just haven't been real happy with the photos. So they sit gathering dusty electrons.

[jsmosby]

Bolster addition style or design may point to specific attribution, ie, CSA or other. You may want to check that out before doing anything.

[gsimmons]

Come on jmoore we need to see more of that?

[jmoore]

OK, then. But the album really needs to be reshot.

Remind me if nothing shows up in a few days. Lots going on.

[gsimmons]

Thanks jm