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Collector’s Fact
This incredibly scarce rifle is
1 of only 521 manufactured, which were delivered in three shipments in 1829 to the New York Commissary General.
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS VOL. II BY MOLLER
Given that slow reloading was the main disadvantage of rifles
before the advent of the Minie ball, this system would have been
a real improvement for the first four shots, particularly in an
encounter that might depend on engaging multiple foes in quick succession. However, the rifle would have taken considerably more time to reload between the 4th and 5th shots compared to a regular rifle if the shooter wanted to start with four more shots, but, when in a rush, the rifleman certainly could have just loaded a single shot again. Unlike most contract arms of the period, there are no markings for the contractors on the lock which is basically the same as the pistol locks used by Simeon North on the 1826 U.S. contract pistols but with the jaw connected to the primer magazine with a link and the lock fitted to a mount in the sliding track rather than into the side of the stock. Many of the components have small “4” assembly marks, and the sliding mount is marked “D3.” The barrel has the same rifling and blade and notch sights as the Model 1817, and the furniture is also the same as that model with the exception of the lack of a sideplate since the lock is not fitted through the stock. The barrel is numbered “445” on the left side at the breech and is marked “US/JM/P” indicating inspection by Justin Murphy, and the left stock flat also has his oval “JM” cartouche. “N. THAYER.” is marked upside down on the stock in the slot for
the lock track. Moller noted this is common on these rifles, and the example at the Institute of Military Technology is marked with just
“NT” in the same spot; however, nothing is currently documented
on his identity. It is likely that N. Thayer was the stockmaker. While
we could not confirm a connection, there was a Nathaniel Thayer operating a joiner shop in Burlington, Vermont, at the time, and a complex stock like this would have benefited from the skills of an advanced woodworker. The patch box contains a “U” shaped turn- screw, ball puller, worm, and vent pick. A normal iron ramrod with brass tip is fitted beneath the barrel, and the rifle has been fitted with
a later black leather sling.
CONDITION: Very good with silver-gray patina, mild pitting mostly around the vent holes indicating this rifle actually saw some use, and minor overall wear. The stock is fine and has a chip at the rear of the frame plate, glossy reoiled finish, and some general minor dings and scratches. The trigger bar mechanism isn’t tripping the lock in the
first position, but it is otherwise mechanically fine. This is an amazing opportunity to add one of the rarest firearms ever made under contract with the U.S. government and certainly one of the most fascinating early repeating rifle designs and would be as at home in
a collection of antique martial arms as it would in a collection of 19th century repeating arms.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 15,000 - 25,000
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