The Model 1817 was manufactured into the early 1840s and has been referred to as the "Common Rifle" to distinguish it from the breech loading Model 1819 Hall rifle that was also manufactured and used in the same period. All rifled military arms are relatively rare in this period. Most of the U.S. and world military men were still armed with smoothbore muskets until the invention of the Minie ball/bullet increased the speed of loading rifles. The U.S. was at the forefront of rifle use and even fielded riflemen units during the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. Interestingly, the Model 1817 is one of the only primary U.S. muzzle loading long arms manufactured entirely by contractors instead of the national armories. 38,200 were manufactured in total by five firms. They saw use into the Civil War era often converted to the percussion system using the drum method. Robert Johnson of Middletown, Connecticut, manufactured just 5,000 in the early 1820s. This example has "R. JOHNSON/U [eagle motif] S/MIDDN CONN. At the center of the lock and a small vertical "1824" stamp on the tail offset towards the top. The barrel has blade and notch sights, proof and inspection marks at the breech, and "1824" on the tang. The stock has faint inspection marks on the left flat and the standard oval patch box on the right. Included is the correct iron ramrod with brass tip, a worm, and a U-shaped screwdriver. An orange "US CUSTOMS" tag is on the trigger guard.

Very good. The polished metal surfaces vary from bright to gray patina. There is some light pitting on many of the components, and the patch box has moderate pitting that has been mostly buffed smooth. The stock is very good and has minor scuffs and marks from handling and storage. A hole was drilled from through the stock into the patch box compartment. The lock functions fine, and the markings are all crisp.