This is a Model 1817 rifle commonly referred to as the "Common Rifle". The Model 1817 is the only military primary issue weapon in US history to be manufactured entirely by contacts, with none of the weapons being manufactured at either of the National Armories. All 38,200 of these rifles, originally flintlock, were made by five contractors; H. Deringer, R. Johnson, Simeon North, N. Starr and R & J.D. Johnson. Specifications for these rifles were .54 caliber barrel with seven groove rifling. The 36" round barrel was to be attached the Kentucky rifle style stock by means of three bands. In it's original configuration the rifle used the flintlock ignition system. The lock was case hardened and had a brass flashpan with no fence. The hardware was all iron and all metal parts finished brown. The locks were stamped by the individual contractors. The US stamp was also found on the barrel and the butt plate tang. The walnut stock was to have an oval patchbox on the right comb. Sling swivels were found on the middle band and rear of the trigger guard tang. The ramrod was of the trumpet type with brass heads. There were no provisions to mount a bayonet on the rifle. This particular rifle was made by R. Johnson, whose firm in Middleton, Connecticut, was responsible for manufacturing 5,000 of the these Model 1817's between 1821 and 1823. The weapon has an overall length of 51 1/2" with a barrel length of 35 7/8". The bore is clean and bright, but no longer in original .54 caliber configuration. It is now .577 caliber and has five lands and grooves. The rifling is visible but very faint. The barrel, bands and lock have an even light plum patina. The barrel proof marks are from breech to muzzle, US/P/JN. The front sight is the original brass blade type on the forward strap of the double strap barrel band. The rear sight is a simple v notch dovetailed in the barrel. A bayonet lug has been added to the top of the barrel 1 7/16" behind the muzzle. The front sling swivel is attached to the middle barrel band, while the rear sling is still attached to the trigger guard tang. These pieces are very smooth, no pitting at all. The lockplate is stamped with an eagle forward of the hammer. In an oval over the eagle is R. Johnson, with U stamped on the left of the eagle and S stamped on the right of it. In an oval below the eagle is MIDDn/CONN. The original flintlock ignition system has been replaced by a percussion system. The mechanics of the lock are strong and work perfectly. The hammer locks in half cock and full cock. The lock is dated 1821 vertically behind the hammer, the 1 being pretty faint. The oval patchbox is retains it's original brown finish. The catch works perfectly. The inside of the patchbox cover has VIII scratched into it. There appears to be some initials inside the box. The iron butt plate also retains it's original brown finish, but has no US stamp on the tang. The original 1817 ramrod still accompanies this fine weapon. The walnut stock is in it's original, untouched condition. The edges are crisp, but show honest wear. There are no cracks, and only one small area of wood loss, on the left barrel channel between the front and middle bands. An oval cartouche is stamped on the left stock flat, but the initials are illegible. The number 4 is stamped into the stock just forward of the butt plate tang. The initials C.G. are also stamped into the stock just behind the trigger guard tang. There are a couple of light dents and nicks, nothing major, scattered over the stock. Overall this is a very good + weapon that could have seen use in the Mexican War and probably converted for use in the Civil War. They were used by both Union and Confederate forces early in the war, due to the fact that they were prime candidates for converting because of the rifled barrels. This one is a must for any serious Civil War long arm collector.

Item # AA1147

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