Springfield Model 1795 Musket
Springfield Armory (US Government) · Rifle · Out Of Production · 1795
Also known as: U.S. Musket Model 1795, Springfield/Harpers Ferry Model 1795
Overview
The Springfield Model 1795 Musket was the first firearm manufactured at a United States national armory and the first standardized American military musket. A .69 caliber flintlock smoothbore based directly on the French Charleville Modèle 1763/1766 pattern, it was produced at the Springfield Armory in Massachusetts and the Harpers Ferry Armory, along with private contractors such as Eli Whitney. It armed American forces through the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4536 g (160.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1524 mm (60.00") |
| Barrel Length | 1135 mm (44.69") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Flintlock |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Muzzle Velocity | 335 m/s (1099 fps) |
| Effective Range | 55 m (60 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 183 m (200 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 3 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | None |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | White Metal |
Calibers
- .69 Caliber Musket Ball · primary — also known as 0.69 in, 17.5 mm ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Features: Smoothbore Barrel, Muzzle Loaded, Three Barrel Bands, Socket Bayonet Lug, Ramrod
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1795 · as U.S. Musket, Model 1795
Conflicts
- War of 1812 (1812-1815)
- Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
Production
Estimated total produced: 150,000 · Production years: 1795-1818
Roughly 80,000 at Springfield Armory and 70,000 at Harpers Ferry, plus private contractors.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Discontinued: 1818
Notes
Often produced jointly as the Springfield / Harpers Ferry Model 1795. Barrel length varied by contractor and year (42-45 in). Many examples were later converted to percussion.
Background
The Model 1795 was the first military musket built in the United States, copying the French Charleville the Continental Army had depended on; examples were carried on the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803-1806.