Original Item: Only One Available. The M1817 common rifle (also known as Deringer M1817 rifle) was a flintlock muzzle-loaded weapon issued due to the Dept. of Ordnance's order of 1814, produced by Henry Deringer and used from the 1820s to 1840s at the American frontier. Unlike the half octagon barreled M1814 common rifle that preceded it, it had a barrel that was round for most of its length. The 36-inch barrel was rifled for .54 caliber bullets. For rifling it had seven grooves. Like the M1814 common rifle, it had a large oval patch box in the stock, however the stock dropped steeper than on the M1814 common rifle.

After producing the M1814 common rifle through contractors, the military decided to do the same with the M1817 rifle. The Harper's Ferry Arsenal produced a pattern weapon, which was then taken to gunsmiths to be copied. While the gun is most associated with Henry Deringer of Philadelphia, they were only the largest producer out of the five contracted companies, having produced 13,000. The rifle was also built by Nathan Starr & Co. of Middleton, Conn. (10,200 made), Simeon North of Middletown, Conn. (7,200 made), R. Johnson of Middletown, Conn. (5,000 made), and R. & J. D. Johnson of Middletown, Conn. (3,000 made).

Simeon North had a contract for 7,200 rifles which he made between 1824-29. This rifle is in standard configuration with 36″ browned barrel rifled with seven grooves.

Over time the rifles became obsolete, but they still saw service during the American Civil War, originally flintlocks, most were converted to percussion cap for their firing mechanism. They saw service in the west, as far as California, where there were still M1817 rifles in the Bencia, California arsenal in the 1860s.

This is a very nice and interesting example of a Model 1817 Common Rifle by Simeon North of Middletown, Connecticut. This example was not converted to percussion and is still in its original flintlock configuration, with the majority of these being converted for use during the Civil War. It definitely shows much wear from service use, with the original browned finish now worn away, and most of the metalwork bearing a polished steel patina with some staining and past peppering. The lock is a bit worn, but still has the correct address marking:-

U.S.
S. NORTH.

With the following year and location information at the end of the plate:

MIDL.
CONN.
1829.

The breech is stamped US over AH over P inside a serrated circle. The tang is dated 1829. There is a gorgeous intact inspector’s cartouche on the stock opposite the lock plate reading AH in an oval, the same inspector of the barrel. These indicate inspection by Asabel Hubbard, one of North’s inspectors. 

The barrel has a good amount of powder burn which has blackened and pitted much of the breech area of the barrel, although the stock is still in good shape around it, often losing a bit due to the burn. The bore still shows clear rifling, which is the correct seven groove type for the Model 1817 common rifle. It is a simple "cut" type of rifling as used on many early firearms, and the cuts are still clearly visible and deep. There is not any major oxidation or fouling present on the interior, just some wear from service, so it was definitely well cared for.

Condition wise, it really has a great aged look to it, with the metalwork really looking great, with no signs of having been refinished, just signs of powder burn and cleaning over the years. The lock mainspring is still present, and the hammer moves and snaps forward, and it still holds well at half and full cock. Both sling swivels are still present, as well as the cleaning rod, with both the rear and front sight still fully intact.

The iron patch box on the butt stock is in good shape, though it can be difficult to get it to open. The stock shows wear from use, but there isn’t any loss of material or any serious cracks, with the wood holding up very well. It also was varnished at some point, which is really quite shiny, and does interfere with seeing the lovely dark red brown color the stock has.

A very interesting example of a hard to find U.S. Military rifle, in the original flintlock configuration. This has some great display and research potential!

Specifications:-

Years of Manufacture: 1829
Caliber: .54”
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 36 Inches
Overall Length: 51 1/2 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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