John Hancock Hall's contributions to American martial arms are well known; the Model 1819 Hall rifles were the only firearms ever given by an act of Congress for heroism and were the first breech loading military weapons produced in large quantities and adopted as a regulation weapon as well as the first manufactured with entirely interchangeable parts, and the Model 1833 carbines were the first percussion weapons and the earliest percussion breech loaders adopted by the U.S. military. Hall patented this design on May 21, 1811.This sporting rifle is one of only an estimate 150 produced between 1811 and 1818. The early rifles were handmade unlike those built using machined components while he was at the Harpers Ferry Armory or those produced by Simeon North. The breechblock is shaped like other Hall rifles except that it has the waterproof pan which has been seen on a few of these early examples. It is stamped on the top "JOHN H. HALL/PATENT" between decorative notches. The breechblock is also marked with "R.B" and "80" on the right side below the pan for Hall's foreman Robert Blanchard of North Yarmouth, Maine. The .40 caliber chamber is 2 1/4 inches deep. The barrel tapers to 3/4 of an inch at the muzzle. The receiver is 7 7/8 inches long and consists of an iron strap on each side and a brass rear tang/spreader block attached with screws at the rear. The sights on the barrel have the blade and notch offset to the left to allow a clear sighting plane. The wooden ramrod has a brass tip. The stock is a fine, attractive piece of curly maple with attractive stripe/flame figure and has mostly brass furniture including the brass patch box which has four rectangular piercings. It also has silver plated oval barrel key escutcheons and silver plate inlay on the cheekpiece.

Fine. The iron surfaces have mostly a dark brown patina with some light oxidation and pitting. The brass and silver have an attractive aged patina. The refinished stock is also fine and retains nearly all of the glossy finish. There are scattered small dings and abrasions, a few small chips, and thin cracks at the rear wedge and wrist on the right, ahead of the rear wedge on the left (repaired), and on the left at the front wedge. The lock functions fine, and the markings are mostly crisp. This is a rare chance to get your hands on an important piece of firearms history. John H. Hall's patented rifles and carbines paved the way for interchangeable parts and were important martial weapons during both the Mexican-American War and the Civil War.