Nashville Arsenal U.S. Model 1816 Belgian Alteration Musket (AL5655)

This 69 caliber Springfield Model 1816 musket was altered from flint to percussion by the Belgian cone in barrel process at the Nashville Arsenal, probably just before or very early in the Civil War. These alterations can be identified due to the fact that the Nashville Arsenal was the only arsenal that did not fill the remains of the flint pan with a brass filler as part of the alteration process. The overall length is approx. 56". The approx. 40" smooth bore barrel has a fine bore with neglible roughness. The barrel was shortened approx. 2" during its period of use. The ramrod was shortened to length and a new tip fabricated. The metal is bright with brown staining turning to brown toward the breech and lock. The impressed P on the barrel and 1840 on the barrel tang are visible. The lock has the egale over U.S. at the center and SPRING over FIELD over 1839 at the tail. The full length stock is sound and very good. It has scattered issue dents and dings and has two cartouches on the left flat The bottom behind the trigger guard tang has a set of block letter initials (porbably the stocker) which are followed by a cartouhe (AH?). The front swivel is present and the rear is broken. The action functions correctly. With its Nashville Armory alteration and the field shortened barrel and ramrod, this musket has the attributes of a Confederate used firearm. It is ready for your Civil War collection.