Springfield Model 1847

The Springfield Model 1847 Musketoon was a weapon produced by the Springfield Armory in the mid 19th century.

History
Muskets were designed for a dual purpose on the battlefield. They could be used as a ranged weapon, and they could also be used as a pike for short range fighting. Because they were used in a manner similar to a pike, muskets had to be long and heavy, which made them impractical for other uses. Because of this, many muskets were produced in a shorter version, often called a carbine or a musketoon. These shorter weapons were often used by naval forces and cavalry.

The Springfield Model 1847 Musketoon was a shortened version of the Springfield Model 1842 standard infantry musket.

Three basic models were produced at Springfield between 1847 and 1859. The total production of all three models is estimated at approximately 10,000 musketoons.

The cavalry model was not highly regarded by those mounted troops to whom they were issued. Inspector General Joseph Mansfield conducted a tour of the Western outposts in 1853 and reported that the troops made many derogatory comments about the musketoons. Dragoons told him that when the weapon was carried by a mounted trooper, the ball would simply roll out of the musketoon's barrel. His report also stated that "there is no probable certainty of hitting the object aimed at,and the recoil is too great to be fired with ease." Mansfield concluded that the gun was essentially "a worthless arm," having "no advocates that I am aware of."

Design and Features
The Model 1847, like the Model 1842 musket that it was based on, had a .69 caliber barrel, and was fired using a percussion lock system. The barrel was much shorter, only 26 inches in length compared to the Model 1842's 42 inch barrel. The Model 1842 had been produced as a smooth bore musket, but many were later rifled. The Model 1847 musketoons were also produced as a smooth bore weapon, and a small number of these also were later rifled.

Smooth bore musketoons were not sighted. The musketoons that were rifled were also fitted with sights.

Like the Model 1842 musket, the Model 1847 musketoon used barrel bands to attach the barrel to the stock. The musketoon, being much shorter, only required two barrel bands, instead of the three required for the longer Model 1842 musket.

The model 1847 musketoon featured a small lock and chain or metal bale for attaching the ramrod which was especially useful while reloading on horseback.

The total weight of the musketoon was approximately 7.4 lbs, and its overall length was 41 inches.

Variants
The Model 1847 musketoon was produced in three variants, called the Artillery, Cavalry, and Sappers (engineers) models.