The Model 1817 "Common Rifle" has the distinction of being the only primary issue weapon in U.S. military history to be entirely contractors with none of the rifles being made at a National Armory. Though the design was created at the Harper’s Ferry Armory, the entire production of 38,200 were made by five outside contractors: H. Deringer, R. Johnson, Simeon North, N. Starr, and R. & J.D. Johnson. Deringer produced the highest number, with some 13,000 rifles completed, while R. & J.D. Johnson manufactured the least, with a total of 3,000
The Model 1817 was largely based on the Model 1814; and features 36" .54 caliber rifled barrel secured to the stock via three barrel bands. Ignition was provided by a graceful yet sturdy flintlock which was inletted into a black walnut stock complete with and attractive large oval patchbox in the butt. As a rifled gun, the Model 1817 was fairly advanced for its time. Produced during the era of the smoothbore musket, the Common Rifle was issued to designated groups of riflemen that served in scout, skirmisher, and marksmen roles.
The Model 1817 was produced from 1817 until 1840, making it among the most tenured long arms in American military history. With the advent of the percussion era relegating the flintlock obsolete, the ordnance department began converting the M1817 to percussion in the late 1840's through the early 1850s. As a result, most of the surviving M1817s encountered today have been converted to percussion; either via the "cone-in-barrel" (Belgian) conversion; or a "drum" conversion.
The 1817 remained popular through both the Mexican-American and Civil Wars. Both Confederate and Union troops carried the M1817 during the war and were generally well-received by the troops; who preferred the accuracy provided by their rifled barrels over the Model 1816 or Model 1842 smoothbore muskets.
This particular M1817 is in excellent condition. It features a beautifully-reconverted flintlock and a great bore! The previous owner of this rifle shot it on a regular basis, and reportedly took a deer with it in 2011!
Made by Simeon North, this M1817 is one of only 7,000 produced by the company between 1824 and 1829. The stock is in excellent condition and features crisp edges and no major cracks or chips. The stock also features features an original state armory inventory number stamped behind the tang of the barrel.
The lock was very neatly converted back to flint using correct components from the Rifle Shoppe in OK. The reconversion work is expertly-done and the Rifle Shoppe components have been nicely aged to match the original lock plate. Mechanically the lock is in excellent condition with a reliable half and full cock, and a well fitting frizzen and crisp frizzen spring.
The barrel is full length and features a reproduction rear sight and original front sight. The barrel is marked "1824" at the breech; meaning it was among the first of the guns North delivered to the government after receiving their contract. The bore is good with crisp sharp rifling and some darkness in the grooves, but no major rust or pitting.
The furniture is all original and matching; although the ram rod is a reproduction.
