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LOT 1149
U.S. Harpers Ferry Model
1803 Flintlock Rifle Dated 1819 with
Number 1 on Barrel - Serial no. 1, 54 cal., 36 inch part octagon bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. Harpers Ferry Armory manufactured approximately 15,700 Type II Model 1803 rifles between 1814-1820. The U.S. Model 1803 was the first truly military rifle issued by the U.S. government.
Prior rifles were basically civilian American long rifles purchased from gunmakers, but this model was designed and manufactured at the Harper’s Ferry Arsenal. It is also distinct from the rifles that followed thanks to its half-stock configuration and under-rib on the barrel. Altogether they are unique and historically significant U.S. martial arms. Model 1803 Type
Important Historic Note
The U.S. Harper’s Ferry Model 1803 flintlock rifle is the first true military rifle issued by the U.S. government, having been designed and manufactured at the Harper’s Ferry Arsenal.
II Harpers Ferry rifles are described on pages 341-346 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume II” in which it states, “In accordance with a February 8, 1815, act of Congress, Chief of Ordnance Colonel Decius Wadsworth wrote Secretary of War A. J. Dallas on June 10, 1815, with his recommendations for improvements for small arms. Item 2 of these recommendations concerning the Model 1803 rifle included lengthening the barrel ‘from 33 inches to three feet exactly,’ in order to more effectively burn the service charge of 100 grains of black powder.” Features include seven-groove rifling, low profile brass blade front and notch rear sights, a “wedding band” at the transition point, sunken “eagle head/P” and “US” proofs behind a number “1”
marked on the upper left barrel flat at the breech, “eagle/US” at the center of the lock, “HARPERS/FERRY/1819” on the tail of the lock, “JS” and “P” inside the lock, brass furniture, iron ramrod with flared tip, oval script “AT” cartouche on the left stock flat, and a vent pick inside the patch box. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. CONDITION: Very good as professionally reconverted to flintlock configuration with mottled dark patina on the lock and barrel, some mild flash pitting, pleasing patina on the brass fittings, and general minor marks and scratches. Stock is also very good as refinished with mostly visible markings, numerous scattered light scratches and dents, cracks visible including one on the right ahead of the barrel wedge, one ahead of the lock (re-glued section), two ahead of and above the side plate, and on the lower left of the buttplate. Mechanically fine. A solid representative of a U.S. Model 1803 Harpers Ferry rifle! Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1150
Fine Documented U.S. R. & J.D. Johnson Contract Model 1817 Flintlock “Common Rifle” Dated 1824 - NSN, 54 cal., 35 3/4 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Model 1817 “Common Rifle” was one of the world’s first widely issued military rifles and was manufactured by multiple American contractors in 1817 to 1840. R. & J.D. Johnson were the contractors that produced the smallest number of these rifles: only around 3,060 of the 39,067 manufactured per George Moller on pages 448 of “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume II: From the 1790s to the End of the Flintlock Period.”This rifle is shown and discussed on pages 445 and 449 in his section on these rifles and has his small “GDM” collection mark by the toe. Many of these rifles were also converted to percussion in the 1840s and after and used into the Civil War era. This makes high condition examples of
their rifles especially rare and valuable, especially in flintlock configuration. They are also desirable thanks to their connection to U.S. riflemen in an era in which most soldiers carried smoothbore muskets. Though the U.S. had previously purchased rifles on contract and manufactured them at Harpers Ferry, but the Model 1817 rifles were the first rifles issued to the military in large numbers. Many were also issued to Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War, particularly in the early years when rifle-muskets were hard to come by. It has seven groove rifling with small rounded grooves, a ring on the muzzle face, the standard blade and notch sights, “US/P/JN” on the breech end of the barrel, “JW” on the left flat at the breech, a “W” just ahead of the upper tang, “1822” on the tang, “U.S./R & JD. JOHNSON” at the center of the lock under the non-fenced brass flash pan, “1824/MIDDN CONN.” on the tail of the lock, an oval “JW” cartouche and smaller “JW” stamp on the left stock flat, “W” at the rear of the trigger guard, an asterisks on the stock just behind the trigger guard, “US” marked buttplate, leather sling, and the distinctive oval patch box containing a spare flint, turn-screw, ball puller, and worm attachment. The ramrod has a proper brass tip.
CONDITION: Fine with 30% original case colors on the lock, strong original brown finish on the barrel tang, otherwise crisp smooth gray patina on the balance with some light speckled oxidation and brown patina, and general minor overall wear. The stock is excellent and has most of the oil finish, attractive dark red-brown tones, some scattered light scratches and marks, and distinct
markings. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Collector’s Fact
Of the 39,067 Model 1817 “Common Rifles” manufactured, only approximately 3,060 were produced by R. & J.D. Johnson, the fewest of any of the makers.
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. II BY MOLLER
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1151
Early Production 1817 Dated Model 1816 North Carolina Marked Flintlock Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 69 cal., 42 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This example appears to be an early pattern/transitional North Carolina state contracted Model 1816 musket made before official Armory production of the “Type I” Model 1816 muskets commenced. These early Model 1816s are described on pages 408-416 of George D. Moller’s book “American Military Shoulder Arms Volume II”. The top of the barrel is marked “N. CAROLINA” and “US”. The lock has no maker marking and is dated “1817” at the rear with an “eagle/US” at the center. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes socket bayonet (slightly undersized, will not mount) and leather sling.
CONDITION: Very good with some scattered light pitting and sharp markings. Stock is fine with scattered scratches, dents, and a small collection tag hole at the right rear. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is also fine.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
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