This method of firing replaced the complicated "wheel lock", "doglock" and "matchlock" systems and would remain the method of choice for firearm manufacturers for the next 200 years until itself replaced by the percussion cap.
Accuracy
The Model 1795 weighed in at a manageable 10lbs and featured a unwieldy 60-inch length (made even longer by the inclusion of the 16-inch bayonet) and showcased a barrel measuring between 42- and 45-inches in length. Long barrels were a necessity for such smoothbore weapon systems for they allowed some level of accuracy to be attained. Essentially, the .69 musket ball traveled the distance inside of the smooth-walled barrel, rotating every which way before leaving the barrel. At the very least, the barrel helped to start a rather contained trajectory path. However, once the ball had left the muzzle, it was prone to many unexpected "interruptions" whilst in flight, hence the inherent inaccuracy of such systems. It was not until the "rifled" barrel became a proven alternative that the smoothbore was more-or-less finally laid to rest.
Like other muskets, the Model 1795 lacked much accuracy at targets out to 100 yards. In fact, many muskets were only truly accurate within 50 to 75 yards or less. As such, armies generally fielded concentrations of "musketman" (as opposed to riflemen) to help improve such numbers. The Model 1795 did report an effective range out to 200 yards but this would most likely require optimal conditions, a trained eye, steady hand and a standing target of some size. Nevertheless, the American Model 1795 used a ball that was smaller than the British .75. This often times gave the Americans a distinct advantage in range and accuracy over the British and their Brown Bess muskets, particularly in the War of 1812.
The Musketman
A trained operator could let loose about 2 or 3 musket balls per minute. Expertly-trained personnel could reload a ball in about 15 seconds. This was a respectable rate (by modern standards) considering the lengthy action of the reloading process itself and the fact that reloading would often times be done whilst under enemy fire. Armies generally fielded their musketmen in formations at least several rows deep - usually three - with the front row kneeling. This allowed all members of the formation to fire a volley towards the enemy, increasing accuracy and applying a concentrated show of firepower to a target area, while retaining a third row with a ready to fire musket, allowing the previous rows a chance to reload. The British Army was the first to use only two ranks deep and developed its "platoon fire" method, ensuring a sustained and concentrated rate-of-fire on the enemy at all times.
The Bayonet
The bayonet was developed to replace the use of pikemen on the battlefield. Pikemen served formations well by protecting them from backbreaking cavalry charges. Once the bayonet was affixed to the musket, the pikeman was essentially a vision of history. The bayonet not only defended formations from cavalry charges but could also prove useful in the follow-up bayonet charges against "unbroken" enemy formations. Enemy formations needed to be "broken" by musketmen so as to unleash the cavalry upon them in a final death blow. The bayonet fitted to the end of a musket could allow for such actions while keeping the operator at a safe distance away from his prey. The Model 1795 used a typical bayonet fitting that allowed the instrument to fit around the muzzle - the result became a weapon of substantial length, somewhat ill-suited for close-in combat.
The Model 1795 in the Civil War
During the American Civil War, Confederate forces converted the Model 1795 to percussion-based firing systems whenever possible. However, limited resources often meant that many of the Model 1795s fielded in the conflict were still operating in their old flintlock musket fashion. Regardless, this meant that the Model 1795 was in operation for some seventy years since her inception.
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