Rare US Model 1817 Flintlock Common Rifle by Simeon North c. 1825

This is a very rare Simeon North U.S. Model 1817 Flintlock Common Rifle from 1825. This is one of the most attractive American military arms ever manufactured.

This particular Model 1817 was manufactured by North as part of his second Model 1817 Contract with the Ordnance Department, contract date December 10, 1823, under which North only manufactured 6,005 Rifles . North produced and delivered to the U.S. Government 1,620 Rifles the year this rifle was built, 1825. North received a second government contract on July 22, 1828, for an additional 1,200 rifles, all of which were manufactured in 1828, for a total production by North of 7,205 Model 1817 Rifles.

Rifle development in the early years of the United States was based on the frontier use of Kentucky and Pennsylvania rifles. The first regulation U.S. rifle was the US Model 1803, manufactured at Harpers Ferry in 1803, firing a .54 caliber ball from a relatively short (compared to earlier civilian rifle designs) 33" barrel. The Model 1803 Rifle was manufactured until 1807 and several of these rifles are known to have accompanied Lewis and Clark on their expedition to the west coast. Model 1803 Rifles were also carried by Zebulon Pike during his southwest expedition in 1806-1807. Slightly over 4,000 Model 1803 Rifles were manufactured during their five years of production at the national armory at Harpers Ferry. The Model 1803 was a half-stock weapon with the ramrod exposed along the bottom of the barrel.

Effective use of Rifles during the War of 1812 solidified its battlefield reputation amongst soldiers and officers alike and that brought about a plan to create three new regiments comprising Riflemen. In 1813, four pattern rifles were designed, all of which were nearly identical copies of the earlier US Model 1803 Rifle. This led to Harpers Ferry producing the Model 1814 Rifle, which was essentially a very slightly modified US Model 1803 Rifle. The Model 1814 was also produced under contract beginning in 1814 by Henry Deringer and Robert Johnson. While there was considerable variation in the final production rifles, most had barrels from 32" to 36" in length and the barrels were octagonal in shape.

This led to the US Rifle, Model of 1817, also known as the Common Rifle. While the origin of the name "Common Rifle" is somewhat murky, it is generally believed that the name is derived from the fact that the Model 1817 Rifle, which was being produced at the same time as the Hall's Patent Breech Loading Rifle, was the more "common" muzzle loading type of rifle then being manufactured (the Hall Breech Loading Rifle was undeniably "uncommon" for that early period). While Model 1817 is now the generally accepted designation for this rifle, it has been referred to by several different names over the years, including simply "Rifle," under Ordnance Department contracts up until 1840, "Common Rifles," from 1840 until 1845, "Common Rifle, Full-stocked; 1819," in the 1841 Ordnance Manual, and the "1819 Rifle."

The first official reference to the Model 1817 Rifle is from a letter from the Chief of Ordnance, Colonel Decius Wadsworth to Harpers Ferry Armory Superintendent James Stubblefield on January 16, 1817, when Colonel Wadsworth wrote, "I hope you are going on with the Model of the Rifle, & hope to see it before the Rising of Congress." It is unclear when the Harpers Ferry design was approved by the Secretary of War, but records indicate that five pattern rifles were manufactured at Harpers Ferry in 1818 and two additional rifles were manufactured at Harpers Ferry in 1819, all of which were to be the "pattern" of the rifle used by contractors when manufacturing the rifles under contract with the Ordnance Department.

The Model 1817 Rifle is significant in that it was the first US Model firearm manufactured exclusively by contractors and not by one of the national armories. Although the design, and pattern models, came from Harpers Ferry Arsenal, all rifles were manufactured by one of five contractors: Henry Deringer, Robert Johnson, Robert & J.D. Johnson, Simeon North, and Nathan Starr & Son. All of these contractors were located in Middletown, Connecticut, except for Deringer, whose factory was located in Philadelphia. The Model 1817 Flintlock Common Rifle was manufactured from 1819 until 1846 with only 38,267 produced. Total rifle production is broken down by contractor as follows: Henry Deringer - 13,000 rifles, Robert Johnson - 5,002 rifles, R. & J.D. Johnson - 3,060 rifles, Nathan Starr - 10,000 rifles, and Simeon North - 7,205 rifles.

The original 36" barrel is present and is in very good original condition. It still maintains its original flat muzzle crown. The original touchhole is present and has not been enlarged or otherwise modified. The Barrel still retains considerable remnants of its original armory bright finish on the bottom and in the protected areas under the barrel bands, with areas of old corrosion on the exposed portions, which has now taken on a pleasing brown patina. The barrel is generally in remarkable condition given its age. The top, rear portion of the Barrel has the correct “US” stamp over a sunken serif “P” proof stamp, over the serif “JN” final inspection stamp, which is the stamp of John Newbury, who was a Springfield Armory inspector of contract arms. He is known to have inspected Model 1817 Rifles until 1826.

The original Breech Plug is present, and the tang is correctly marked with the date “1824” on the top, indicating the barrel was probably manufactured at the end of 1824 prior to the lock and rifle being completed in 1825. The side of the breech

plug has a witness line that aligns with a corresponding witness line on the side of the barrel. The rear face of the plug has a serif “U” stamp. The bottom of the tang has a “C2” stamp, which matches the corresponding “C2” stamp on the bottom rear of the barrel. The tang is secured into the stock with its original slotted screw.

The original v-notch Rear Sight is brazed to the top of the barrel approximately 2 1/2" to the rear of the Lower Band. The bore exhibits considerable original rifling with normal pitting in evidence and the bore is clear to the touchhole. The original Front Sight is present and is an integral iron blade atop an iron rectangular base that is brazed to the barrel approximately 1 ¼” to the rear of the muzzle.

All three original Barrel Bands are present. The Upper Band exhibits a plum patina and is the standard two-ring type with rectangular open space in between and is 1 11/16" long at the top and 2 9/16" long at the bottom. On the inside, rear surface of the upper band is a matching serif “U” assembly stamp. The original Upper Band Spring with integrated post is present on the stock and it secures the band properly.

The Middle Band exhibits a dark plum patina with its original upper sling swivel riveted in place that rotates freely. The Middle Band Spring is present and properly secures the middle band.

The original Lower Band also exhibits a deep plum patina and measures 9/16" long at the top and 1" at the bottom. It has a “U” assembly stamp on the interior surface. Its original Band Spring is present. All three Barrel Bands secure tightly to the stock and barrel when assembled.

The Upper Band secures the original Trumpet Head Brass Ramrod that is threaded at the end for ball and wiper. The brass portion shows an attractive dark mustard patina. The balance of the Ramrod exhibits an even plum finish along its entire length. The Ramrod secures tightly into the stock.

The original Trigger Guard furniture is present, and it exhibits an even plum patina. This Trigger Guard has the skeleton pistol grip, which is only found on the earlier Model 1817 contracts; a ribbed extension was used on later 1840s contracts. The Lower Sling Swivel is present and is correctly riveted to the skeleton pistol grip itself and rotates freely. The Original Trigger Bow measures 1" across at the widest point and retains the same finish as the Guard. The rear of the extension has a serif “Y” inspection stamp. Both Trigger Guard Screws are the slotted type. The original Trigger, which is suspended from the lateral pin in the stock, exhibits considerable original heat-treated blue finish and it moves freely.

The Lockplate still exhibits considerable original case-hardened finish along with areas of old corrosion from firing, which now gives it a pewter patina on the face. The Lockplate measures 5 7/16" by 1 3/16" and has a flat surface with beveled edges forward of the cock and has a convex surface to the rear of the cock. The rear of the cock is correctly marked “MDLTN / CONN. / 1825.” Forward of the Cock is the still crisp, serif “U.S.” over serif “S. NORTH” stamp. Both original Lockplate Screws are present. The original Side Plate is also present.

The original Cock, or Hammer, is 2 15/16" tall and has a convex surfaced body with heart-shaped hole in the throat. The Cock exhibits generally a plum and pewter patina with areas of pinprick pitting throughout from firing. The Upper Jaw retains the same finish and the cock itself and the adjustment Screw, with slotted head and hole still turns and adjusts the Upper Jaw smoothly. The cock holds a piece of flint. The inward facing sides of the cock and upper jaw are both stippled to hold the flint.

The original round-bottomed Flash Pan is inclined upwards (to the rear, to direct the flash away from the firer) without a fence and is made of brass and exhibits a beautiful burnt mustard patina. The Frizzen measures 1 3/4" by 7/8" with the top portion inclined towards the front of the rifle. The front face is convex, and the tail is straight. The front, convex portion of the Frizzen and the rear, flat striking surface both retain a very pleasing pewter patina. The Frizzen Spring remains very strong. The Frizzen closes securely over the Pan, and it opens crisply and stays secured when in the forward position. Both the Frizzen and Frizzen Spring Screws are single slotted, and both have unmarred slots.

The interior surface of the lock retains considerable original case-hardened finish with areas of old pitting. The Mainspring retains the majority of its dark oil hardened finish. The original Tumbler retains considerable original finish. The original Sear retains considerable original tempered finish and has a serif “FF” stamp. The Sear Spring is still strong. The horseshoe-shaped bridle is in the white. The lock mechanism still functions perfectly.

The original black walnut stock is simply beautiful and is in fine condition having never been sanded. The original steel oval Patch Box Lid on the right side of the stock measures 4 3/16" by 1 11/16" and is in fine condition. The Patch Box Lid shows a very attractive pewter patina on the exterior surfaces. The inside surface of the lid has the matching serif “U” inspection stamp. The Hinge is the correct and original 1 13/16" piano-style hinge at the bottom and is secured by its original single slot screws. The Hinge is very secure and there is no play in it open or closed. The 3/8" wide catch at the top is secured by a single, slotted screw in unmarred condition. The original oval final inspection cartouche on the left stock flat is present, and it has the script “JN” initials, which are the same initials of Springfield Armory inspector of contract arms John Newbury as is found on the top of the barrel.

The original Butt Plate measures 4 1/16" by 1 7/8" with straight side profile and convex surface and the 2" Tang has a rounded end. Just to the rear of the tang screw is the serif “U.S.” stamp. The Butt Plate Screws are both single slotted and both have unmarred slots. The Butt Plate exhibits a dark chocolate patina with areas of old corrosion.

This is, as noted earlier, one of the most beautiful U.S. martial arms ever manufactured. These early Simeon North Contract Model 1817 Rifles are also very scarce with only 7,205 total manufactured. This particular rifle remains in its untouched, original flint in every respect and is a fine example of these rare and important early 19th Century military flintlock rifles. This rifle is also in amazing condition considering it is celebrating its 200th year!