A pic of me

[stanjam]

OK, it is a couple years ago, but it is indeed, me. I am holding one of the first muskets produced by the US govt, my (and my father's) 1795 musket, made right here at the Springfield Armory (has been converted from flintlock to percussion unfortunately).

 

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[JOe L]

Howdy Stan

 

[Montana Jim]

Welcome to Mugs stanjam

Nice musket...

 

[mamabear]

that is one big gun! how much does it weigh? how did your paw get it? passed down? would be awesome to have its history

 

[garyf]

My wife and I are planning a trip to Massachusetts this summer and I was thinking about a side trip to see the armory in Springfield. Is it worth the trip? My g-g-grandfather carried a Springfield rifled musket in the Civil War.

 

[Cynangyl]

Welcome to Mugs Stan!! Glad to have ya here and love the musket! Looking forward to seeing some finds as well as the history of the musket!

 

[Pepper2004]

Welcome to Mugs, Stan. Very cool musket!

 

[Magic Fingers]

Welcome Stan..I bet you haven't changed in those couple of years!

 

[stanjam]

Thank you for the warm welcome. Let's see if I can't answer some of your questions. Yes, I am the guy with the Civil War sword lol.

History of the musket (as well as one other musket and the sword). My father owned a commercial heating and air conditioning company. He did some work for a man as a favor (the guy couldn't pay, but desperately needed the work done. My father was admiring the guns and sword, so the gentleman gave them to him as payment. Evidently he had no idea of what he had (he had some idea about the sword) except that they were old.

My father had no idea either, but mounted them above an old fashioned mantle/fireplace he built. While at the armory, I recognized the model, and saw that it was similar to the 1805 Springfield. I made notes about the markings of the gun after doing some research at the armory. Looking at the stamp, I learned that the first year the armory made the gun, it had a very unique stamp, with the Springfield label curving on top of the stamp. This was very unique on this gun. Sure enough, the stamp is curved.

The gun had been modified to a percussion model from the original flintlock. This was very common. Forget how much it weighs, but it isn't exactly light!

Someone asked about the armory, and is it worth the trip. If you are interested in the history of weapons manufacturing by the US govt. then this is THE place to go. You will see not only all the weapons made at the armory, but a lot of other historical weapons as well. It is quite a neat place to visit. When I have time, and my teaching duties permit (I teach at the college that is on the grounds) I find myself hanging out at the armory. The armory made the very first weapons manufactured by the US government right up to the M-16 currently used by our military. If you like this kind of stuff, you will enjoy your visit here. I work in many of the buildings that once made up the armory, and some of the features are neat (gun hanging racks still in the buildings etc.).

I would love to do some MDing on the grounds, but it is a federal park and a historical landmark.

 

[Cynangyl]

Sounds like an awesome place and thanks so much for sharing the history with us!!

 

[Red_desert]

Nice gun Stan...too bad was converted, maybe someone could restore it back to flintlock...ought to be worth some money. Thanks for sharing your mug.

 

[River Rat]

Hey Stan,

Great to see ya! That's a nice story about the musket. Looking forward to seeing and hearing about your finds, good luck & happy hunting.

RR

​

 

[COUNTRY GIRL]

Nice to see you after 23 years What moved you to the "big" city? TF class of 85? If you come home, I can show you what Country junk looks like?

Welcome to TN Stan.

 

[Bridge End Farm]

Welcome and thanks for the knowledge you shared

 

[Hemisteve]

Welcome aboard.
Nice piece of american history you have there.

Steve

 

[garyf]

Stan:
I visited Springfield Armory in July. It is an amazing place. The Park Service ranger told us that the upstairs storage area of the museum has even more guns...they don't have enough room to display them all. Anyone interested in the history of early American weapons should visit this place.

If I ever go back to Massachusetts, I'll visit the armory again.

Sorry I didn't see you there, Stan. I was looking for you.

 

[hogge]

Hey Stan....Nice firearm.

 

[bbqbull]

Thanks for the history lesson Stan.