This is one of only approximately 500 Model 1840 Type I carbines manufactured by Simeon North in 1840 under contract with the U.S. Government based on John H. Hall's patented breech loading design. North is easily one of the most important gunmakers of the early republic and manufactured U.S. martial arms from 1799 until his death in 1852. This rare Model 1840 Type I Hall carbine features an "L" shaped elbow breech lever mounted on the trigger plate, unlike the "fishtail" lever on the subsequent Type II carbines. The vast majority of the already rare Model 1840 Type I carbines were smoothbore. Original rifled Type I's like this one are known and especially desirable but rarely come available. Fixed blade front sight and V notch rear sight. Faint oval script inspection cartouches marked on both stock flats. Markings no longer visible on the breech block. A sling ring is fitted near the end of the trigger guard tang. "40" carved in the left of the buttstock.