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 10,200 rifles which were produced between approximately 1823-1841. This rifle is in standard configuration with 36″ 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 Nathan Starr & Co. 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 mottled oxidized steel patina with staining and past peppering. There is also a bit of more serious oxidation in some places, and the rifle looks to have seen long use and exposure to the elements. The lock is a bit worn, but still has the correct address marking:-

U.S.
N. STARR

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

1826
MID'N CON

The breech is stamped US over AH over P inside a serrated circle, for inspection by Asabel Hubbard, known for inspecting "Barrels and Stocks, Whitney and Starr Muskets", as well as other arms. The tang date is still legible as 1825, and there is a faded cartouche on the left side of the stock by the lock screws, however we cannot read it. The slight mismatch between the barrel and lock dates is completely normal.

The barrel has some powder burn around the touch hole, which has oxidized and worn the breech area a bit, although the stock is still in good shape around it, which is often eroded. 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 showing a lovely aged patina from long service and cleaning. The lock is still fully functional, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full, with a strong mainspring. The frizzen is present and moves correctly as well. These originally had a brass-tipped ramrod, so the current installed ramrod looks to be a later replacement, which does not have threads on the narrow end. 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. There are areas of staining from contact with the stock and iron fittings, but it still has a great red brown color over most of the surface.

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: 1825
Caliber: .54”
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 36 Inches
Overall Length: 51 1/4 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

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Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.