EXCEPTIONAL 1800 DATED SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1795 TYPE I MUSKET

EXCEPTIONAL 1800 DATED SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1795 TYPE I MUSKET

 01-25802
Cal.69.
NSN.

This musket had the rare honor to have been the 2-page ROLL OF HONOR centerfold titled “AN UNFIRED MUSKET” in “MAN AT ARMS” Magazine, Vol. 44, April 2022. “The model 1795 type one Springfield, dated 1800, was recently discovered in an old European collection. The frizzen appears untouched by a Flint, and the bore is mirror bright. It is exciting to see what these muskets looked like when they were brand new. The quality of the work being done at Springfield was impressive. The Ordnance Department routinely sent samples of Armory produced weapons to other countries militaries’ as a courtesy, and the condition of this piece as well as its European provenance suggest that this might be one such arm”. This exceptional example conforms to other surviving early type ones, 59.5″ overall, 44.5″ round barrel, large “US” and “P / eagle head / V” proofs at breech, rectangular bayonet lug 1.25″ back from muzzle on top. Top of butt plate dated with last three numbers from 1800. The lock measures 6.25″ with the proper markings for these scarce pre 1803 examples, early spread wing eagle over script “US”, “SPRINGFIELD” in vertical arc at tail, faceted horizontal pan with integral bridle supporting frizzen screw. The trigger plate has inspection initials “RP” and the lock plate “IF”. The trigger is earliest type without reinforcement web which started late 1801.
The establishment of the National Armory for the manufacturer of muskets started slowly in 1795 with less than 1000 undated muskets made by 1796. 1799 was the first year over 1000 muskets were produced and there are no more than two or three known examples known have engraved dates, it wasn’t until 1800 that muskets were all dated and date dies made.

Total production of Springfield muskets manufactured in 1800, the first year these were dated was 4586, another 8500 in the same type 1 configuration were made in 1801 and 1802. Any type 1 in original flint is difficult to find. The vast majority of survivors if the remained in armories would be altered with updated regulations, many original survivors have shortened barrels and low comb stocks to conform to model 1816 regulations. You will have a difficult time finding a type-1 1795 Springfield as fine as this survivor. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: copy of Man at Arms magazine which premiers this arm. Copies of pages pertinent to Springfield National Armory early production.

PROVENANCE: Vince Dempsey collection.

STATUS: ANTIQUE