This rifle was manufactured as part of a contract held by Henry Deringer of pocket pistol fame. He manufactured 13,000 of these rifles in multiple variations between 1817 and the early 1840s out of a total of approximately 38,200 manufactured by various contractors. These arms are among the first widely issued rifled firearms used by any military and saw use into the Civil War era. This model has been referred to as the "common rifle" since the actual period of use to differentiate it from the "uncommon" breech loading Hall rifle. This example has the blade and notch sights, iron fittings aside from the brass flash pan, "US/H. DERINGER/PHILADA" on the lock, "GF" and "P/US" on the barrel at the breech, "V/CF" or "V/GF" on the left stock flat, a later production incorrect replacement leather sling, and the following contained in the oval patch box: a slab of lead for securing the flint, a "U" shaped screwdriver, rod attachments, and patches.