Manufactured at the U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1818. This second pattern Model 1803 Rifle has the 36-inch barrel adopted in 1815. The rifle has the distinctive half-round/half-octagon barrel with iron under-rib and two iron ramrod pipes and Kentucky style walnut half stock with cheekpiece. The barrel has a dovetail mounted brass front sight blade and fixed iron rear sight. The bevel edged lock plate has a fenced iron pan and reinforced hammer. The wedge fastened walnut stock has a brass forearm band, tail pipe, side plate, trigger guard with finger spur, crescent buttplate and oversized patch box. The lock plate is roll-stamped "HARPERS/FERRY/1818" in three vertical lines behind the hammer and stamped with a Federal eagle with "US" in the shield in front of it. Faint proof and inspection marks are visible the left barrel flat. Traces of the script "US" final inspection mark can be seen on the left stock flat.

Fair. The rifle was converted to percussion during the period of use and has been re-converted to the flintlock configuration (Model 1803 Rifles that remain in the original flintlock configuration are extremely rare). The barrel and lock have an attractive deep brown patina. The barrel has scattered dents and handling marks and the breech portion has heavy flash pitting. The lock plate has heavy flash pitting that partially obscures the Federal eagle in front of the hammer. The brass furniture is in good overall condition with numerous minor scratches and handling marks. The stock shows moderate-heavy wear with scratches and handling marks; there is an old repair behind the tang. The iron ramrod is period but is not the correct ramrod for a Model 1803 Rifle. The Model 1803 Rifle is a key U.S. martial arm. The 1803 Rifle is believed to have been carried on the Lewis and Clark Expedition and was widely issued during the War of 1812. This is a solid example of a Model 1803 Rifle that would be a nice addition to a U.S. martial arms collection.