This is a beautiful example of a scarce Harpers Ferry Model 1816 Flintlock Musket that was manufactured in 1827 that was converted from flintlock to percussion in the 1861-62 time frame using the bolster conversion method performed by the Hewes and Phillips Company of Newark, New Jersey. The basic 1816 pattern flintlock musket was one of the primary weapons in the early 1800s and was used in many instance during the Mexican revolution and early days of the Civil war. These muskets were produced from 1815 through 1842. As the firing technology for all firearms advanced from the early flintlock system to percussion firing system, the US Military found itself in a quandary of having huge stores (estimated at approximately 7,000,000 at one point) of both used and brand new weapons sitting in various arsenals, that needed to be converted to some form of percussion firing system. The US Government ceased production of all flintlock weapons and embarked on a six -eight year effort to convert all flintlock weapons to percussion. These conversations were undertaken by the Government arsenals in most cases with some companies actually performing the conversion as part of a US Government contract. There were three types of conversion made, the French style, the Belgium style and the bolster method. The Hewes and Phillips Company of Newark NJ., was contracted to convert approximately 20,000 1816 muskets to percussion in two different quantities of, 8,000 and 12,000. In the case of this specific musket it is a beautiful example of a 2nd model conversion that used the much improved and stronger bolster conversation. This conversation actually required the company to machine a complete new bolster and nipple and braze it over the right side of the barrel (over the touch hole), then remove the pan and mill out the lock plate for the new bolster and install a 1861 pattern percussion hammer. Also as part of this conversation they were required to rifle the barrels (this example has the correct three-groove rifling) and install a three leaf rear sight. This musket still retains the original lock plate markings of "HARPERS/FERRY/1827" vertically behind the hammer with the "American Eagle/ Shield motif/U.S.". The bolster is correctly marked "H&P" and the top of the barrel is dated 1863. As noted the rear sight is the 1861 pattern with the one standing and two folding leaves. The rifle retains the distinctive low comb walnut stock, and the rectangular bayonet lug located on the top of the barrel. It also has the button-head iron ramrod.

Excellent plus with 99% of the original armory bright polish on all the metal parts. The stock is also excellent with a nice dark brown original finish overall that has only minor handling marks and a couple of light pressured dents in a few places. The only noticeable flaw is a small very old chip in the top front edge of the stock flat in front of the front edges of the lock plate. The chip is very old and the wood color and wear exactly matches the rest of the stock. Overall just a exceptional example of a scarce Hewes and Phillips 1861 percussion conversion rifle