Happy (Texas) Independence Day!

Happy (Texas) Independence Day! On March 2nd 1836 the Republic of Texas declared its independence from Mexico. It remained an independent nation until it was annexed by the United States in 1845, becoming the 28th state

The pictured firearm would have been a common sight in both the Republic and State of Texas. The Model 1816 Flintlock musket was the standard military long arm of the day, and would have battled Mexican forces in the Texas Revolution (1835-1836) and the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). It is a smoothbore .69 caliber flintlock musket which was produced at the Springfield and Harper's Ferry arsenals until the 1840s.

This particular musket could have served in them both, as it was produced in 1826 at Springfield. The stock has an intriguing marking of a 5-pointed star, carved letters, and a date of 18?5. While I have no way to substantiate it, it is neat to think those might be the markings of a Texian Soldier. The barrel is also slightly shortened, just enough to remove the bayonet lug. From what I can find, this was often done to remedy a damaged muzzle. With no rifling to worry about, it was easy enough to lop off a bent, split or mushroomed inch-or-so that would otherwise negatively effect the loading and firing of the weapon.