US Model 1816: Good, or nah?

[swcw]

Hello all,

I am looking at a US Model of 1816 musket as my first foray into the world of blackpowder muzzleloaders. The thing is, I have zero precedent to go off of, so I am turning to you fine folks to help.

Some pictures can be found here: https://imgur.com/a/SBIvPNq

Is the touchhole of the musket looking good? And for that matter, how does the lock in its entirety appear? Any other comments, whatever they may be?


Thanks everyone in advance!

 

[tokguy]

Seems to have a nice Patina.
Little else that I can add to the mix..,.sorry

 

[BlackPowderBurner]

It looks fine from the outside. It needs a good cleaning. Remember after cleaning to remove oil from the frizzen face with some iso alcohol. If you have trouble with ignition, getting the frizzen refaced is worthwhile. You’ll want to pick up a bit of leather or lead sheet to hold the flint in the jaws of the ####. If the bore is very bad you can look into having it honed a bit smoother. Good luck!!

 

[tiriaq]

Are you wondering if the musket has been reconverted to flintlock?

 

[swcw]

It is advertised as being reconverted, though I am unsure how to determine that visually. Does that have any ill effect on the operation of it?

 

[tiriaq]

Depending on how the percussion conversion to the barrel was reversed, it could be outright dangerous to fire.
Most M1816 percussion conversions involved the breech of the barrel being upset, and a nipple seat added. The 5/16" threaded hole for the nipple will have been plugged, and the area welded over.
If it was a drum and nipple conversion, a plug will have been installed to replace the drum, and welded over.
There is no way that I would buy a reconverted gun with the intention of shooting it. Really difficult to tell if the barrel would be safe.