Manufactured as a flintlock musket and subsequently converted to percussion using the bolster method. The method of conversion is similar in appearance to the Hewes & Phillips conversions although this example is unmarked on the bolster. The majority of the approximately 675,000 Model 1816 muskets were converted before the outbreak of the Civil War, and many were issued to state volunteer units during the early years of the war. Consignor notes attribute this as a possible Confederate conversion. The lock is marked "SPRING/FIELD/1829" behind the hammer with the eagle shield motif over "US" in front of the hammer. No markings on the breech. It has a bayonet stud on top near the muzzle, blade front sight on the front barrel band, three leaf 1858 pattern rear sight, and retains its original smooth bore.