RARE**US Army 1826 Dated Indian Wars Era Simeon North Middleton, Connecticut Model 1817 .54 Calibre Black Powder Muzzle Loading Percussion Period Converted From Flintlock 'Common Rifle' With Patch Box Containing Tools & Iron Ram Rod. Sn 23132 Muzzleloader .54 Cal Muzzleloader Rifle

**RARE**US Army 1826 Dated Indian Wars Era Simeon North Middleton, Connecticut Model 1817 .54 Calibre Black Powder Muzzle Loading Percussion Period Converted From Flintlock 'Common Rifle' With Patch Box Containing Tools & Iron Ram Rod. Sn 23132 - 23132

The M1817 common rifle was a flintlock muzzle-loaded weapon issued due to the Dept. of Ordnance's order of 1814 and used from the 1820s to 1840s at the American frontier & during the Native American Indian wars. Referred to as the “Common Rifle” by both collectors and historians, it derived its name due to that it was being manufactured simultaneously with the Hall’s Rifle and the 1817 was the more common of the two (the Hall being a breech loading weapon), but there was definitely nothing common about this unique offering to U.S. martial weapons. Unlike the half octagon barrelled M1814 common rifle that preceded it, it had a barrel that was round for most of its length. The 36” barrel was rifled for .54 calibre 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. The rifle was built by Henry Deringer of Philadelphia (13,000 made), Nathan Starr & Co. of Middleton, Conn. (10,200 made), Simeon North of Middleton, Conn. (7,200 made), R. Johnson of Middleton, Conn. (5,000 made), R. & J. D. Johnson of Middleton, Conn. (3,000 made). Many of these flintlock arms were period converted to percussion and later saw service in the American Civil War. This is a rare to find muzzle loading Simeon North M1817 flintlock common rifle period converted to percussion. This example has all original wood stock which has just light bumps & bruises to be expected with age & use. It has iron fittings including trigger guard with extended tang, butt plate, barrel bands, fore end block, iron ramrod & hinged patch box with clasp fastener. The box contains tools which consist of 2 cleaning rod brushes and a hinged steel nipple key tool which is stamped ‘US’ (army). The rifle measures 51” overall with a 36” round steel barrel. The barrel has ‘U.S’ army acceptance mark and ‘P’ & ‘LS’ factory inspection marks. The steel butt plate tang is also stamped with ‘U.S’ (army) mark. The barrel’s bore is clean & has the correct deep cut 7 groove rifling. The rifle has fixed open sights. The tail of the lock plate lock plate is dated 1826 below faint ‘Midd’t Conn’ and the lock plate is signed by the maker ‘S. North’ together with ‘U.S’ (army). The metal work has even aged patina. The inside of the lock has inspection marks (all marks illustrated). The cocking and firing actions are crisp. The price for this rare rifle includes UK delivery. NB As an antique percussion firearm no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. Sn 23132

£1,395.00