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).

Robert Johnson was in fact the first contractor to build the weapon, and was awarded the contract for 5,000 examples in 1819. The firm would deliver 1,100 rifles that year, 1,160 in 1820, 1,340 in 1821, 842 in 1822 and 560 in 1823. This actually comes to a total of 5,002 rifles, as there were two extra rifles sent to Nathan Starr on 1 May 1823 to use as sample rifles for Starr’s contract. The fact that the Ordnance Department was willing to use Johnson’s rifles as samples for another contractor was an indicator of the quality of the work of the Robert Johnson manufactory.

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 Robert Johnson of Middletown Connecticut, which like most was converted to percussion for use during the U.S. 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 under the remains of the flash pan:-

US
R. JOHNSON
MIDDLETOWN

These would usually be dated behind the hammer, however wear has removed the date, so we just know that was produced sometime between 1819 and 1823. There is no date on the barrel tang, however the barrel does bear proof marks reading US, P, and LS, indicating inspection by Luther Sage. He is specifically noted for inspecting "R. Johnson, Waters, Whitney, Pomeroy and Starr Muskets 1813-1836". There is also an LS in an oval on the left side of the stock below the side plate, for the same inspector.

The barrel was bored out from the original .54" at some point, most likely for fowling use, and now has a bore diameter of 0.66", about a 16 bore, popular for game hunting. We assume that the percussion conversion was done at arsenal, but it is always possible that it was converted later. Definitely some great research potential in this very interesting example!

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 cleaning over the years. The lock mainspring is still present, and the hammer moves and snaps forward, however it looks like the sear or sear spring is missing, so it does not hold at either half or full cock. Both sling swivels are still present, as well as the cleaning rod, however the rear sight unfortunately got knocked off long ago.

The iron patch box on the butt stock is in good shape, though it can be difficult to get it to stay latched closed. The stock shows wear from use, with some chunks missing by the barrel tang, and also some missing wood around the lock plate. 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, originally flintlock but then converted to percussion. This has some great display and research potential! 

Specifications-

Years of Manufacture: 1819-1823
Caliber: .66" (Bored Out)
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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