Model 1822 Musket
Encyclopedia
The Springfield Model 1822 Musket is a .69 caliber, flintlock
musket produced by the Springfield Armory
.
The Model 1822 was an improvement to the Model 1816 Musket
. Some documents refer to the Model 1822 as its own separate model, but other documents refer to it as a variant of the Model 1816.
Like the Model 1816, the Model 1822 was a .69 caliber smooth bore flintlock, with a 42 inch barrel and an overall length of 58 inches. One of the most noticeable differences in the Model 1822 is the attachment of the lower sling swivel. The forward part of the trigger bow was provided with an enlargement which was drilled to receive the sling swivel rivet. Previously, the sling swivel had been affixed to a stud in front of the trigger bow.
The Model 1822 was produced by the Springfield Armory
, Harpers Ferry Armory
, and numerous other contractors. It was eventually replaced by the Springfield Model 1835
, which is also considered by many to be a continuation of the Model 1816.
Like other flintlocks, many of the Model 1822 were converted to percussion lock systems in the 1840's and 1850's, as percussion cap
s were more reliable and weather resistant than flintlocks. Some also had their barrels rifled so that they could fire the newly developed Minie ball
.
The Model 1822 was used in both the Mexican American War and the American Civil War
.
Flintlock
Flintlock is the general term for any firearm based on the flintlock mechanism. The term may also apply to the mechanism itself. Introduced at the beginning of the 17th century, the flintlock rapidly replaced earlier firearm-ignition technologies, such as the doglock, matchlock and wheellock...
musket produced by the Springfield Armory
Springfield Armory
The Springfield Armory, located in the City of Springfield, Massachusetts - from 1777 until its closing in 1968 - was the primary center for the manufacture of U.S. military firearms. After its controversial closing during the Vietnam War, the Springfield Armory was declared Western Massachusetts'...
.
The Model 1822 was an improvement to the Model 1816 Musket
Model 1816 Musket
thumbThe US Model 1816 Musket was a .69 caliber flintlock musket used in the United States during the early 19th century.-History:The War of 1812 had revealed many weaknesses in American muskets. The Model 1812 Musket was created in an attempt to improve both the design and manufacture of the...
. Some documents refer to the Model 1822 as its own separate model, but other documents refer to it as a variant of the Model 1816.
Like the Model 1816, the Model 1822 was a .69 caliber smooth bore flintlock, with a 42 inch barrel and an overall length of 58 inches. One of the most noticeable differences in the Model 1822 is the attachment of the lower sling swivel. The forward part of the trigger bow was provided with an enlargement which was drilled to receive the sling swivel rivet. Previously, the sling swivel had been affixed to a stud in front of the trigger bow.
The Model 1822 was produced by the Springfield Armory
Springfield Armory
The Springfield Armory, located in the City of Springfield, Massachusetts - from 1777 until its closing in 1968 - was the primary center for the manufacture of U.S. military firearms. After its controversial closing during the Vietnam War, the Springfield Armory was declared Western Massachusetts'...
, Harpers Ferry Armory
Harpers Ferry Armory
Harpers Ferry Armory, more formally known as the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, was the second federal armory commissioned by the United States government located in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia , the first federal armory being the Springfield Armory located in Springfield,...
, and numerous other contractors. It was eventually replaced by the Springfield Model 1835
Springfield Model 1835
The US Model 1835 Musket was a .69 caliber flintlock musket used in the United States during the early 19th Century.The Model 1835 was produced by the Springfield Armory, and was also produced by the Harper's Ferry Armory and other contractors. It was a smooth bore musket and fired a .69 caliber...
, which is also considered by many to be a continuation of the Model 1816.
Like other flintlocks, many of the Model 1822 were converted to percussion lock systems in the 1840's and 1850's, as percussion cap
Percussion cap
The percussion cap, introduced around 1830, was the crucial invention that enabled muzzleloading firearms to fire reliably in any weather.Before this development, firearms used flintlock ignition systems which produced flint-on-steel sparks to ignite a pan of priming powder and thereby fire the...
s were more reliable and weather resistant than flintlocks. Some also had their barrels rifled so that they could fire the newly developed Minie ball
Minié ball
The Minié ball is a type of muzzle-loading spin-stabilising rifle bullet named after its co-developer, Claude-Étienne Minié, inventor of the Minié rifle...
.
The Model 1822 was used in both the Mexican American War and the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
See also
- List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Springfield musketSpringfield musketSpringfield musket may refer to any one of several types of small arms produced by the Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts, for the United States armed forces. In modern times, these muskets are commonly referred to by their date of design followed by the name Springfield . However, U.S...
- musketMusketA musket is a muzzle-loaded, smooth bore long gun, fired from the shoulder. Muskets were designed for use by infantry. A soldier armed with a musket had the designation musketman or musketeer....