Lot 1041: Deringer, First Contract, U.S. Model 1817 Flintlock Rifle

U.S. Model 1817 "Common rifle" manufactured by Henry Deringer of Philadelphia between 1819 and 1821. The lock plate of this first contract rifle lacks the date found on second contract rifles made from 1821 onward. The rifle has a round barrel with brass blade front sight and fixed iron rear sight. The left side of the barrel is stamped with the inspector's initials "GF" followed by a "P" proof mark and "U.S.". The lock plate has beveled edges in front of the hammer and rounded edges behind it and has a detachable brass pan and reinforced hammer. The lock plate is marked: US/DERINGER/PHILADA" in three lines in front of the hammer. The full length, oil-finished, black walnut stock is secured by three spring-fastened barrel bands. The stock has an iron side plate, trigger guard with finger spur, oval, spring-fastened, iron patch box and flat iron buttplate. The iron ramrod has a brass tip. The barrel, barrel bands, and iron furniture are browned and the lock plate has a casehardened finish. The Model 1817 rifle was the primary U.S. rifle issued between the War of 1812 and the Mexican War and was manufactured by various contractors between 1817 and the early 1840s. Many M1817 rifles were still in service with state militias at the beginning of the Civil War.

Very good. The rifle is in the original flintlock configuration and retains all of the original components. The barrel and lock plate markings are sharp. There is light-moderate flash pitting on the barrel in the vicinity of the flash hole and scattered flash pitting on the hammer and lock plate. The barrel and barrel bands have been re-browned and the lock has been lightly cleaned. The stock is also in very good condition with sharp edges around the lock plate. The edges of the left flat are rounded and have moderate handling wear. This is a very good example of an important primary issue U.S. flintlock rifle.