In total, 675,000 Model 1816 muskets were produced making this the largest production run of U.S. martial flintlock muskets. Of that total, 350,000 were manufactured at the arsenal at Harper's Ferry. Many of these muskets saw service during the Texas Revolution, Mexican-American War, and even into the Civil War. This example is of the type III variation that was manufactured circa 1831 to 1844 with a strengthening devise on the trigger guard where the sling swivel is mounted. Few of the type III survive as flintlocks due to a high number of conversions to the percussion firing system making this specimen rare and desirable. This Model 1816 is marked "HARPERS / FERRY / 1835" vertically at the rear of the lock plate with the "eagle/shield" above "US" between the hammer and the correct brass pan. The top left breech end of the barrel is marked with the number "623" and has the "V / P / eagle head" proofs and the letter "V" on the left flat. The number "623" is also marked on top of the middle barrel band and on the trigger guard plate. The barrel tang is dated "1835". There is "R" stamped on the hammer spring. Mounted with a full walnut stock with the correct low comb. The left flat is stamped with a faint "AR" and two "V"s, and the buttplate tang is marked "US". Complete with an original button head steel ramrod.

Very good. The metal surfaces have a smooth mottled silver gray patina and are free of any pitting. With the exception of a repair at the top of the wrist (crack visible) and a couple of minor age cracks on the underside, the stock remains solid and is very good with some minor chips along the edge of the butt and ram rod channel and some overall minor dents and dings. The markings are clear. The action is very good. This is very good example of the Model 1816 in the scarce original configuration.