Requesting information on OHIO marked arms and equipment

[pheaur]

Greetings!

For a number of years I have been researching the arms and equipment used by the State of Ohio. My most recent interests is researching the Ohio Militia pre-1860. To make a long story short I am trying to sort a few things out before heading off to the archives. Normally, when you have a question, this is the best place to ask.

My question concerns the following. Has anyone ever seen an Ohio mark (stamped) on one of the following arms or equipment?

Model 1803 Harpers Ferry Half stock rifle
Hall/North Carbine
Model 1817 Common Rifle - particularly Deringer
Model 1822/28 Harpers Ferry or Springfield (original non-converted "Flintlock Musket") with locks dated between1820 to about 1840
Cavalry Sabres dated prior to 1850. I'm not familiar with types used from 1820-1850.
Cavalry Pistols dated prior to 1850 (this is how they are listed in the records)

I'm interested to know if the Ohio mark is found stamped on the barrel (musket, rifle, or pistol) or if the stamp is found on the stock. If you are willing to share details, knowledge, or insight on the items found above I would be very grateful.

I already have a lot of information on the arms used by the state during the Civil War. Just looking to see what information I can gather about the arms used prior to the Civil War. I have an idea what had transpired in Ohio from 1819-1852, I'm hopeful that someone on here can provide a little more insight before I head off to the archives.
Thanks,

[James Brenner]

Re: Requesting information on OHIO marked arms and equipment

Hey, Chris.

As you know, I've got a Springfield, original flint, dated 1832, that's stamped Ohio on the barrel and on the stock just above the butt plate tang. The stock stamp appears to be the same size and font as that on the stock of a M1842 Johnson pistol (dated 1853), but it's not. The musket stamp measures 3/16 of an inch while the pistol measures 1/4 inch in height. Fonts are the same. Both are marked OHIO with no period at the end of Ohio. It's difficult to say when the musket stock was stamped. I'll send you some pictures of them and will also try to post them here.

Jim

[pheaur]

Re: Requesting information on OHIO marked arms and equipment

Jim,

Thanks a bunch. If you're able to upload the photos that would be great. The more the better. By the way, in case you were wondering - over 5,000 half-stock Harpers Ferry rifles and 1,400 Common Rifles, possibly more. Thanks again -

[James Brenner]

Re: Requesting information on OHIO marked arms and equipment

I hope/think/believe that I've attached three pictures of the Ohio mark on the musket and pistol. This is the first time I'm using this phone/camera and you know that saying about old dogs and new tricks...

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Requesting information on OHIO marked arms and equipment

I have personally handled a 16 that wasn't converted and was stamped Ohio.

[James Brenner]

Re: Requesting information on OHIO marked arms and equipment

Ouch. I just looked again at the font on the pistol and the musket stock and they're different. I guess I should've asked Santa for glasses as well as a phone.

[pheaur]

Re: Requesting information on OHIO marked arms and equipment

Jim, Thanks for the photos. They are very good. While looking at the pictures the two Ohio stamps on the musket appear to be two different stamps. Of course you are a better judge than I. Although the stamps appear similar there seems to be a slight difference between the two. Maybe, possibly? Do you have any possible recommendations/ideas what the 14 is for?

Tyler, thanks for the info on the 1816. You wouldn't happen to remember the year the 16' was dated or whether the barrel or stock had the stamp, perhaps both?

[Tyler Underwood]

Re: Requesting information on OHIO marked arms and equipment

Chris, sadly I cannot remember.

[James Brenner]

Re: Requesting information on OHIO marked arms and equipment

You're correct; the fonts are different and don't match the better known Ohio. stamp. My hunch is that the barrel was stamped at one of the national armories prior to issue to Ohio and - perhaps - the state marked the stock; but I don't know why. As for the 14 on the stock, there's some speculation that it's a regimental number, but I tend to think it's a rack number. One other thing: the 1866 Ohio QMG Annual Report lists "247 U.S. flintlock muskets, smoothbore, caliber .69" in the arsenal.

[pheaur]

Re: Requesting information on OHIO marked arms and equipment

Thanks for the information on the two stamps. I thought they looked a little different, but I couldn't exactly say for sure. I thought maybe the 14 corresponded to the 14th Division due to the arms being assigned to a division, then a brigade, and so forth. However, I believe the rack number is more plausible than others. Thanks again.