HARPERS FERRY ARMORY

Construction of the 2nd United States Armory and Arsenal in Harpers Ferry, VA (now WV) began in 1799. This was made possible by a bill approved by Congress in 1794, then-President George Washington selected the Harpers Ferry location, and the government purchased 125 acres for the site in 1796. By 1800, full-scale manufacture of arms began, starting with muskets and rifles. Pistols were added in 1805, and by 1810, the annual production of arms averaged about 10,000.
After four decades of government neglect and lack of funding, plans for a complete renovation were made. From 1845 to 1854, seven new workshops were built, 121 new machines were installed, Armory Canal was enlarged, and the installation of new Boyden turbines was completed. The Armory became known as the "U.S. Musket Factory." By 1859, the Armory workforce had grown to about 400 men, compared to just 25 in 1802.
The Civil War brought destruction and the beginning of the end of the 2nd United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry. On April 18, 1861, Lt. Roger Jones of the U.S. Army defended the Armory with 50 regulars and 15 volunteers against several companies of Virginia militia (approximately 360 men). Outnumbered and unable to obtain reinforcements, Jones set fire to the Armory and Arsenal buildings before retreating. The spring of 1861, more destruction came with Confederate occupation at Harpers Ferry. Southern forces confiscated the Armory's ordnance, machinery, and tools before burning most of the remaining buildings. By war's end, Harpers Ferry had changed hands eight times and only the Armory's fire engine and guard house remained intact. Today, the Armory Grounds are almost completely covered by railroad track embankments.
The United States Armory and Arsenal located in Harpers Ferry, VA (now WV) manufactured U.S. military muskets, rifles, pistols, and other ordnance circa 1800-1861.

HARPERS FERRY ARMORY Antiques Models

U.S. MODEL 1795 MUSKET - 1ST TYPE Image

U.S. MODEL 1795 MUSKET - 1ST TYPE

.69 cal., single shot, muzzleloader, 44-45 in. round smoothbore barrel, lug for socket-style bayonet, marked with "P", small eagle's head, and "U.S.", serial numbers on barrel, lower combs with no fluting on sides, integ...

U.S. MODEL 1842 MUSKET Image

U.S. MODEL 1842 MUSKET

.69 cal., lockplate, single shot, muzzleloader, 42 in. round smoothbore barrel with 3 barrel bands, marked "V", "P", and eagle's head, bayonet lug at muzzle, iron mountings, bright metal finish, full walnut stock with ra...

U.S. MODEL 1836 HALL BREECH LOADING CARBINE Image

U.S. MODEL 1836 HALL BREECH LOADING CARBINE

.64 cal., lockplate, single shot, 23 in. round smoothbore barrel with 2 barrel bands, combination ramrod/bayonet, brown lacquered finish, case colored breech block, walnut full stock, tool compartment on underside of buttstock, tilting hing...

U.S. MODEL 1803 RIFLE Image

U.S. MODEL 1803 RIFLE

.54 cal., lockplate marked with eagle, "U.S." and "Harpers Ferry" with date marked vertically, single shot, muzzleloader, 33 in. part octagon/part round rifled barrel with actual length varying from approx. 32 to 33 1/2...

U.S. MODEL 1841 HALL BREECH LOADING RIFLE Image

U.S. MODEL 1841 HALL BREECH LOADING RIFLE

.52 cal., lockplate marked "U.S." and "H. Ferry" with date, single shot, breech loading action, color case hardened, 32 5/8 in. round, rifled, brown barrel with 3 pin fastened barrel bands, combination front sight/bayone...

U.S. MODEL 1795 MUSKET - 2ND TYPE Image

U.S. MODEL 1795 MUSKET - 2ND TYPE

.69 cal., lockplate marked with significantly smaller eagle with shield on breast, "U.S." marked within the shield and "HARPERS FERRY" placed at rear of lock in blocked letters with date, single shot, muzzleloader, 44-45...

U.S. MODEL 1795 MUSKET - 3RD TYPE Image

U.S. MODEL 1795 MUSKET - 3RD TYPE

.69 cal., single shot, muzzleloader, 44-45 in. round smoothbore barrel, lug for socket-style bayonet, marked with "P", small eagle's head, and "U.S.", serial numbers discontinued on barrel, trigger guard changed to round...

U.S. MODEL 1841 "MISSISSIPPI RIFLE" Image

U.S. MODEL 1841 "MISSISSIPPI RIFLE"

.54 cal., lockplate marked "HARPERS/FERRY date", dated 1846 through 1855 to rear of hammer, front of hammer marked eagle and "US", single shot muzzleloader, 33 in. round rifled barrel with 2 barrel bands, brass blade fro...

U.S. MODEL 1795 MUSKET - 4TH TYPE Image

U.S. MODEL 1795 MUSKET - 4TH TYPE

.69 cal., lockplate marked with significantly smaller eagle with shield on breast, "U.S." marked within the shield and "HARPERS FERRY" placed at rear of lock in blocked letters with date, single shot, muzzleloader, 42 in...

U.S. MODEL 1842 HALL BREECH LOADING CARBINE Image

U.S. MODEL 1842 HALL BREECH LOADING CARBINE

.52 cal., single shot, 21 in. round smoothbore barrel, two barrel bands, front and rear sights, bright finish, brass mountings, browned lacquer barrel, breech block is case colored, 8 1/2 in. sling bar and ring on left side of stock, "...

U.S. MODEL 1855 RIFLE MUSKET Image

U.S. MODEL 1855 RIFLE MUSKET

.58 Minie cal., lockplate with Maynard tape priming system, single shot muzzleloader, 40 in. round, rifled barrel with three barrel bands, marked "P","V", and eagle's head, front sight doubles as lug for bayonet, iron mo...

U.S. MODEL 1816 MUSKET - 1ST TYPE Image

U.S. MODEL 1816 MUSKET - 1ST TYPE

.69 cal., lockplate marked "HARPERS FERRY", eagle and "US" or "U.S.", single shot muzzleloader, 42 in. round barrel with three barrel bands and bayonet lug, marked "P", "V", and eagle's head...

U.S. MODEL 1855 RIFLE Image

U.S. MODEL 1855 RIFLE

.58 cal., lockplate with Maynard tape priming system, single shot, muzzleloader, 33 in. round, rifled barrel with 2 spring-fastened barrel bands and bayonet lug on right side, marked "P", "V", and eagle's head, fixed fro...

U.S. MODEL 1816 MUSKET - 2ND TYPE Image

U.S. MODEL 1816 MUSKET - 2ND TYPE

.69 cal., lockplate marked "HARPERS FERRY", eagle over "US" or "U.S." and date "1820", single shot muzzleloader, 42 in. round barrel with three barrel bands and bayonet lug, marked "V", &quo...

U.S. MODEL 1816 MUSKET - 3RD TYPE Image

U.S. MODEL 1816 MUSKET - 3RD TYPE

.69 cal., lockplate marked "Harpers Ferry", eagle and "US" or "U.S.", single shot muzzleloader, 42 in. round barrel with three barrel bands and bayonet lug, marked "P", "V", and eagle's head...

U.S. MODEL 1817 ARTILLERY MUSKET Image

U.S. MODEL 1817 ARTILLERY MUSKET

.69 cal., lockplate marked "U.S.", eagle and "HARPERS FERRY" with date, single shot muzzleloader, 36 in. round smoothbore barrel with three barrel bands and bayonet lug, marked "P", "V", and eagle's h...