Guns International #: 102735633
Seller's Inventory #: 215102
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Guns International #: 102735633
Category - Civil War Rifles
- Springfield Rifles - Antique
MGM STUDIOS Marked Antique Model 1816 Musket MOVIE PROP .69 Caliber c1835
METRO GOLDWYN MAYER Civil War Movie Prop Musket!
Description: MGM STUDIOS Marked Antique Model 1816 Musket MOVIE PROP .69 Caliber c1835 METRO GOLDWYN MAYER Civil War Movie Prop Musket! Here we present an antique Model 1816 Type Conversion Musket, likely manufactured at the armory at Springfield, Massachusetts, or Harpers Ferry, Virginia circa 1835. This musket would have started out life as a smoothbore flintlock and likely converted around the start of the American Civil War. The War of 1812 revealed many weaknesses in American muskets. In an attempt to improve both the design and manufacture of the musket, the Model 1812 musket was created. The Model 1816 made further improvements and replaced the Model 1812. Harpers Ferry became America’s second national armory after the site was personally selected by George Washington, with the Springfield Armory being the first. The U.S. Congress authorized the building of the new foundry in 1794, and by the following year, was producing hundreds of arms for the national army, which was primarily flintlock muskets and pistols. Inspired largely by the French Charleville Model 1777 musket, Harpers Ferry began producing the Model 1816. The M1816 was a smoothbore, muzzle loading weapon which used a .69 caliber musket ball. A trained shooter could fire between two and three rounds at a range of up to 200 yards per minute. This movie prop musket was almost certainly used in two of Metro Goldwyn Mayer’s most famous movies, including “Gone With the Wind” and “The Red Badge of Courage”, both Civil War movies. On May 3, 1970, the house David Weiz Company held the Metro Goldwyn Mayer . An individual named Walter O’Conner, who was employed by the house, became one of, if not the first collector to identify and actively collect “movie memorabilia firearms” in the Hollywood area. Mr. O’Connor specifically targeted a musket in that that was marked “MGM CB 28”. It is 100% documented that that particular musket was used by Audie Murphy in the 1951 production of “Red Badge of Courage”. Audie Murphy, of course was America’s most decorated soldier in World War II whose feats are an American legend. The M1816 was in production at Springfield (325,000) and Harpers Ferry (350,000) between 1816 to 1844 with around 675,000 muskets produced during this run. It saw service during the Mexican-American War and was even pressed into service during the Civil War in both the updated percussion and the old flintlock format. In the 1850’s, many 1816’s, just as this one is, went through the conversion from flintlock to the more reliable percussion system. The advent of the Model 1842 Musket made the M1816 obsolete, but not unserviceable. Eventually, most made their way to storehouses and armories. Beginning in 1848, when more than 700,000 of all types of flintlock muskets were reported in storage, the most serviceable were converted to percussion ignition. Three types of alteration were performed. All alterations involved grinding the flash pan down and replacing the hammer. The "French Style" conversion added a drum and nipple to the flashhole. The "Belgian Style" involved plugging the vent hole with a weld and tapping a nipple directly into the barrel. This is the type of conversion that was only done at Harper's Ferry and Springfield and is sometimes referred to as an "armory conversion." The last type of conversion was used late in the renovation process, beginning about 1852, and involved adding a bolster to the breech of the barrel, so it is termed the "Bolster Style" of conversion. The overall condition is good. Strong action. The bore is clear and remains in good shape (aged). Despite the above average wear, dents, and dings the stock is solid. “MGM” and “CB20” are stamped on the left side of the barrel. “US” can be read on the barrel and the barrel tang. Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction. Barrel is 42 inches. Caliber: .69 Percussion Overall condition as seen in photos. Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail! Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY. ancestryguns $1465 #215102 Price: $1,465.00 Buy Now Antique: Yes Contact Seller |
Guns International #: 102735633
Seller's Inventory #: 215102
Guns International #: 102735633
Seller's Inventory #: 215102