This "Side Lever Hall" is one of approximately 10,500 manufactured by Simeon North in the mid-1840s to mid-1850s. It was originally smoothbore but has been rifled, likely for use in the Civil War. It does not appear to be one of the 5,000 carbines that were part of the well-known Hall Carbine Affair given that the bore was not enlarged to 58 caliber when it was rifled. Many of these carbines saw use in both the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. This 1849 dated example has the standard markings, including a "JH" inspector's mark at the breech and a script "WAT" cartouche on the right stock flat, and has standard blade and notch sights and an iron ramrod. "Steel" marked on top of breech.