U.S. Military Flintlock Muskets and Their Bayonets: The Later Years, 1816 Through the Civil War, by Peter A. Schmidt. (ISBN 1-931464-27-8, Mowbray Publishing, 54 E. School St., Woonsocket, RI 02895; 401.597.5055; Web site: www.manatarmsbooks.com. Hardcover, 8-1/2" x11", 373 pages, fully illustrated, 2006, $65.00).

In this latest volume, author Peter Schmidt completes the story of U.S. model and pattern flintlock muskets. This, along with the author’s first volume, U.S. Military Flintlock Muskets and Their Bayonets: The Early Years, 1790-1815, are the most informative works on these early weapons. Anyone with a passion for U.S. firearms up to and including the Civil War will want both of these volumes.

U.S. Military Muskets...The Later Years covers the Model 1816, Model 1822, Model 1822/28, Model 1840 and all the federal alterations to percussion system. Schmidt includes very complete data about the manufacturing, inspecting and distributions of these weapons. Cartouches and minor barrel markings are explained, in depth, in most cases identifying the inspectors who applied the markings. Close-up, clear photographs highlight important variations in both the firearms and the bayonets. Most importantly, Mr. Schmidt details what configurations are correct and incorrect. Thankfully, he took a very firm stand on the destruction of fine conversions to present them as “original” flintlock. Perhaps this will stagnate the trend of reconversion that has plagued the hobby in recent years.

It isn’t too often that a book actually changes the way collectors organize, evaluate and understand their collections. This book does. It establishes criteria for the use of the terms “model” or “pattern” and parameters for proper designation of these weapons. It clearly delineates when “armory bright” or “armory brown” was the appropriate finish. And, it dispels myths about what arsenals, states or individuals converted flintlocks to percussion on the eve of the Civil War. The book, however, is intense. If you have just a passing interest in pre-Civil War weapons, it might contain too much detail for you. However, anyone who has a passion for U.S. firearms up to and including the Civil War will want to buy both of these volumes. The research sets the new standards by which these weapons will be understood and evaluated.--John Adams-Graf

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