Springfield Model 1812 Musket
Springfield Armory (US Government) · Rifle · Discontinued · 1814
Also known as: Model 1812, U.S. Model 1812 Musket, Springfield 1812
Overview
The Springfield Model 1812 Musket is a .69 caliber smoothbore flintlock musket manufactured by the U.S. Springfield Armory. A muzzle-loading black powder longarm patterned on French Charleville designs, it was developed to correct manufacturing and design shortcomings found in the earlier Model 1795. It featured a full-length walnut stock, iron furniture, a 42-inch barrel and a lug for a socket bayonet, and served as a standard U.S. infantry arm in the years following the War of 1812.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4536 g (160.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1473 mm (57.99") |
| Barrel Length | 1067 mm (42.01") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Flintlock |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 427 m/s (1401 fps) |
| Effective Range | 55 m (60 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 180 m (197 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 3 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Bright Iron |
Calibers
- .69 Caliber Musket Ball · primary — also known as 0.69 in, 17.5 mm ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Socket Bayonet Lug, Iron Furniture, Ramrod, Full Length Stock
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1814 · as Model 1812
- United States Militia · adopted 1814
Conflicts
- War of 1812 (1812-1815)
- Seminole Wars (1816-1858)
Production
Estimated total produced: 30,000 · Production years: 1814-1816
Produced by the Springfield Armory to replace the Model 1795; approximately 30,000 manufactured.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Springfield Armory
Discontinued: 1816
Notes
Roughly 30,000 were produced between 1814 and 1816. The Model 1812 formed a bridge in design between the Model 1795 and the later Model 1816 musket, the most widely produced U.S. flintlock musket.
Background
Fielded in the aftermath of the War of 1812, the Model 1812 reflected lessons learned when American flintlocks were pitted against the British Brown Bess, and helped standardize U.S. musket production ahead of the definitive Model 1816.