[Civil War] Relic of the Week

Posted By: John Morris (71.178.114.195)
Date: Wednesday, 14 July 2010 0518 hrs. EDT

Posted on behalf of Terry Thomann and the Civil War Life Museum:

Here is an interesting Model 1816 musket with a Cone in Barrel or Belgian type alteration from Flint to Percussion. It is interesting because this appears to be an arsenal conversion, but it was done on an 1817 production musket. I believe 1817 was the first year of production for these. The annual report for 1817 shows that 13,015 muskets were received into store, and it is believed that about 6,000 were of the Standard Musket of 1815 Type IV Pattern. According to Schmidt, this musket should be referred to as a Standard Musket of 1815, Type IV.

What is really interesting are the markings on the barrel breech and on the stock. As shown in the pictures there is a small spread eagle followed by the letters BLDT. On the stock are stamped the letters GN followed by the same small spread eagle on the barrel and DT. I have always wondered if these letters could be connected to some militia company. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I am open to wild speculation and diverse opinions.

You can view this artifact and hundreds more at our museum.
Address: 829 Caroline Street
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Phone: 540-834-1859
See our "Civil War Life in 3-D" an audio visual program featuring original Civil War photographs that were taken in the camps and battlefields in 3-D. Admission is $5 for adults. Shop Fredericksburg's largest museum store.

Messages In This Thread

• [Civil War] Relic of the Week -- John Morris (71.178.114.195) -- Wednesday, 14 July 2010 0518 hrs. EDT
  • Re: [Civil War] Relic of the Week -- John Morris (71.163.225.167) -- Friday, 16 July 2010 0434 hrs. EDT