American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume 3: Flintlock Alterations and Muzzleloading Percussion Shoulder Arms, 1840-1865

Model 1847 “Navy” Musketoon

Model 1847 “Navy” Musketoon  235. A few musketoons exist that do not conform to the previously described regulation models or known modifications. One of these was first noted by Claud E. Fuller in the 1930s. He identified it, lacking further information, as a “Navy musketoon” for two reasons: first, the examples he observed did not have sling swivels; and second, the barrels or barrel bands of these musketoons are stamped with a small anchor at the breech. No documentation has been found in the National Archives or the archives of several states that authorizes the “Navy” musketoons, or the alteration of musketoons to the “Navy” configuration. A few of the Model 1847 musketoons with an anchor mark are regulation artillery musketoons; most were of the “Navy” configuration. This anchor was often stamped into the upper and lower bands’ tangs; it was stamped at the rear of the barrel’s breech of most other examples. This anchor mark is similar to that known to have been used in 1866 to identify arms that were retained by the U.S. Navy following the Civil War. It was prescribed in 1866, however, that the arms were to be stamped with anchors on top of the barrel’s breech. The significance of the anchors stamped into musketoons is unknown, but suggests ownership by the U.S. Navy at some time. Most of these musketoons do not have bayonet studs. Some were equipped with mountings that differed from the known national armory patterns. Little is known about these musketoons, and it is possible they were modified after leaving federal service, by states, or by militia units. The Ordnance Department’s supplies of sappers musketoons available for alteration to other configurations had been depleted by early 1858, and alteration of 40 of the cavalry musketoons on hand was contemplated. The iron mountings include the trigger guard assembly that is of the Model 1851 cadet musket configuration. The trigger plate is slightly wider than usual for the musketoon. Three newly manufactured iron parts, unique to the Navy musketoon, were used: the upper and lower barrel bands, and the side plate. The iron butt plate is similar to those used in artillery musketoons, sappers musketoons , and Model 1851 cadet muskets. The stocks of observed examples appear to have been altered from previously unfinished cavalry musketoon stocks. The trigger plate recess has two holes for trigger plate wood screws; only the rear hole has a wood screw to retain the trigger plate, however. 235.–1 Model 1847 “Navy” musketoons have furniture unlike other musketoons. They have no provision for slings or bayonets. Part II 240 235.–2 Model 1847 “Navy” musketoons appear to have been retro fitted with a special short upper barrel band with two barrel rings. 235.–3 The “Navy” musketoon’s iron lower band differs from all other musketoons. Barrel Contour: The ramrod swivel lug has been removed to flush with the barrel’s surface. Lock The lock is the same as those of other musketoons. Its tumbler has full- and half-cock notches only. Mountings Trigger and Guard Assembly: The trigger is suspended from a lateral machine screw, through a split lug that is integral with the 813 /16" iron trigger plate. This round-ended plate is 19 /32" wide at the front, which is about .05" wider than the cavalry musketoon’s trigger plate, and broadens to 3 /4" wide at the rear. It is retained by a single convex-headed wood screw at the rear, and the breech tang screw. The 1"-wide iron guard bow is secured to the plate by slotted nuts. Barrel Bands: The flat-surfaced iron bands are unique to this musketoon. Upper: The two 7 /16" upper rings are separated by an open area whose lower rear edge has been cut away in an arc, exposing a part of the forestock. The band is formed inwards at the forestock’s upper edge. The band is 111 /16" long at the top, and extends rearward at the bottom to an overall length of 27 /16". The front sight is located on the rear ring instead of the front ring. Armory-Pattern Muzzleloading Arms 241 235.–4 The “Navy” musketoon’s side plate is of cavalry musketoon configuration but has no hole for a sling bar. Lower:Thisironbandis5 /8"wideatthetop,andextendsforwardto11 /16"wide at the bottom. It is...