In 1845 the U.S. Ordnance Dept. began converting its large arsenal of outdated flintlock muskets to the more "modern" percussion system. To accomplish this, the department adopted the "Belgian" or "cone-in-barrel" system for altering the arms, which involved plugging the "touch hole" in the flintlock barrel and threading the top of the breech for a percussion musket. The flintlock components were then removed from the lock (the frizzen, spring, and pan) and the cock was replaced with a percussion hammer. But by the late 1840s, the Ordnance Department also began investigating mechanical priming systems, particularly Dr. Edward Maynard's patented tape primer, which used a roll of laminated paper containing percussion compound.
Maynard's system would ultimately become the foundational design basis for an entirely new U.S. rifle-musket, the Model 1855. However a number of Model 1816, 1835, and 1840 muskets were also converted utilizing a variety of innovative mechanical-priming systems primarily based on Maynard's tape primer. Among the more unique Maynard conversion muskets were those based on the system developed by Lieutenant James N. Ward.
Patented in 1856, Ward's "Magazine Hammer" was a mechanical tape priming system integrated directly into the musket's hammer, avoiding the cost and effort of replacing the entire lock, which made it approximately half the cost of other Maynard conversions performed by by Remington, which required the installation of an entirely newly made lock as part of the conversion process. Following an initial field trial of 100 muskets altered at the New York Arsenal in 1858, the state of New York contracted Captain Ward in 1857 to modify 1,200 of their muskets. This contract, valued at $4.00 per musket, stipulated the addition of the magazine hammer, modification for the Minié cartridge, and the application of Ward’s "patent clasp" to the bayonets.
The conversion was complex because many of New York's muskets had already undergone the "cone-in-barrel" alteration and the cones had to be removed and the old threaded hole filled. This explains the strangely shaped brazed-on bolster that was applied to Ward hammer-altered muskets. The large sides of the bolster extend to cover the old cone hole in the musket barrel, and also cover the old flintlock touchhole, making it equally suitable for previously converted arms and original flintlocks. Despite the contract implying rifling, Ward did not rifle the barrels, which were from older, varying-quality contract arms, but he did add an elevating rear sight and a tall brass cone front sight.
Ward died in December 1858, having altered only about 300 muskets. Furthermore, the initial arms issued to the 12th New York Militia Regiment in 1858 were found lacking. The primary issues were the fragility of the hinged door covering the primer magazine on the hammer, which was frequently missing, and the inadequate functioning of the fragile hammer mechanism. As a result, the state of New York canceled the contract that same year. The failed arms were recalled, and those missing parts were converted back to standard percussion hammers. In fact, the overwhelming majority of Ward-converted muskets encountered today are found with standard percussion hammers. Noted firearms historian Tim Prince has estimated that surviving examples with complete and functional hammer mechanisms "can probably be counted on one hand".
This particular Ward Conversion musket is all original and complete; including its original Maynard Tape Primer Hammer!
The lock is in great shape with a wonderful "untouched" patina and excellent legible markings; indicating that this musket began life as a Whitney Model 1816 Flintlock. The lock holds solid on both full and half cock. The tape primer mechanism in the hammer is intact and complete.
The stock is in excellent shape with no real damage other than a minor "drying crack" behind the hammer which resulted from the wood shrinking, and subsequently cracking, with age. This crack is stable and does not compromise the structural integrity of the lock. The lock panels are wonderfully sharp and a set faint inspector's cartouches are visible.
The barrel is full length. A period-replacement Model 1864 Springfield sight has been installed at the breech. The bore is dark with some scattered rust and pitting.
All the furniture is original including the ramrod; which is full length. The original brass "cone" front sight is intact on the nose cap and is correct for a Ward conversion musket.
