Musquets(old spelling) of 1808 & Contracts of1812

From the book, states that the Act passed in 1808 to equip the militia resulted in additonal musket contracts---at least 18 of them between June and November of that year. Muskets made under these contracts are referred to as models of 1808,however they were so similar to models of 1795 that one could pass as the other.
: In 1812, it is noted, that Ordnance decided to make up some new patterns. Unfortunately, nothing is mentioned of 1810, BUT - we do know it took years to fill the contracts and the normal procedure for some was to stamp guns with the date they were manufactured. In 1812, with renewed hostilities with the British, there was a rush and fervor to attain muskets from all sources without demanding to much in the way of quality.
: Undaunted, Ordnance tried to push ahead with it's plan of highly finished pattern based "on a French manufactured musket having all the latest improvements" was completed in late 1812. The model of 1812 differed from earlier types by having a slightly heavier 42" barrel, but few production muskets incorporated this change until 1815.
: In 1813 and 1814, the government shipped 500 muskets to St Louis, a thousand to Natchez, and more than 7,000 to New Orleans. By the end of the war, the muskets that came through the fighting intact, included so many nonstandard types that the process of planning and pattern making started all over again.
Daryl

 

[musketman]

In 1813 and 1814, the government shipped 500 muskets to St Louis, a thousand to Natchez, and more than 7,000 to New Orleans.

With over 8'500+ muskets out there, chances are we could still find them abouts...

I know there there is a 1832 .69 caliber flintlock musket...

But they refuse to sell... :no:

The history and stories these original muskets could tell, if'n only we spoke musketeese...

 

[Deadeye]

When you say French manufactured, are you meaning made in france or made by Tom French, one of the contract makers?
Apparently, one of the larger makers.

 

When they say "French Manufacture" They're talking about France. France was only one of the suppliers of firearms to the American Government at that time and into the 1830's to 1850's, but they were the major one. Austria & Belgium also sold large quantities to America as well as Holland and Germany. The dutch and German guns were generally very low quality.(Military as well as Civilian arms)
Daryl

 

At the time when the Delvinge' and Tige' breeches became popular, many US muskets were conveted to percussion and rifled including those that were in stores of good enough condition to do so. I believe that the .69's THAT were too thin in the tube for rifling, or in too poor shape, were mostly sold off the civilians ater going through clearing houses that 'fixed' problems or repairs. Many of the government arms were sent to contractors for re-fitting, repairs, conversions and rifled - such repairs costing roughly $2.00 on average per musket hense rifle.
; All this took place after the advent of Minie's hollow based bullet's adoption by US Ordnace. Muskets were purchased by private individuals, Delvinge breeches changed or'or Tige plugs removed, then bored either to .58 or .69 and rifled. The heavier rifles in .69 were valued due to their much better accuracy than the .58's. Indeed, all rifling carried out of these & newly manufactured military minnie rifles was of progressive depth, deeper in the breech than the muzzle. It appears than none were even depth rifling. They followed the British leade on this progressive depth rfling as shown in the .58 Enfields of 1853(3-grouve) to 1858(5 grouve).
: Of course, the reason being the minnie bullet was constantly being squeezed as it travelled up the bore, and the shallow rifling at the muzzle releasing the minie in very lttle distored shape, increasing it's long range accuracy. There were special long range sights and short range sights, depending on the rifle's capability. The long range sights were calibrated to 1,000yds or so. The short range to between 200 and 500yds. depending on replaced sights.
Daryl

 

[Deadeye]

Thanks, Daryl, the reason I asked is that in some document
I found references to French muskets and only after reading much farther did I realize they were referring to French the contract muskets not ones made in France. ::

 

Here's some numbers from "Firearms of the America West". "In 1813 and 1814, the government shipped 500 muskets to St. Louis, a thousand to Natchez, and more than 7,000 to New Orleans. Most and probably all these guns were of the older 1795 style(Charletville 1777 copies). From the start of 1811, Springfield and Harpers Ferry had turned out a combined total of more than 105,000 muskets. Aditional muskets that survived the Revolution or come from contractors brought the total number on hand at the start of the war to 200,000. Furthermore, from January of 1812 to December of 1814, the two natonal armouries produced at least 55,000. Yet, when the Government counted its muskets after the war, a mere 20,000 remained." :shocking:
: How's that for attrition!! Say, did anyone see my musket??
Daryl

 

[musketman]

Furthermore, from January of 1812 to December of 1814, the two natonal armouries produced at least 55,000. Yet, when the Government counted its muskets after the war, a mere 20,000 remained.

Someone has a nice 35,000 piece musket collection... :winking: :haha:

 

Re-count musketman - that's 200,000 + another 55,000 & only 20,000 remaining after the war. So they lost 235,000. THAT's Attrition of the highest order. No wonder after that, the government had men sign for the muskets with statements that: YOU OWE THE GOVERNMENT $14.00 IF you lose it. It only cost them $6.50 - can't blame them for wanting to come out ahead for once. - HA!
: Actually things like silver inlays on some St Louis rifles cost an extra $1.00 - or to re-rifle cost $1.00 if having to re-bore first. $0.50 if no reboring needed.
Daryl