This rifle dates to the end of the War of 1812 and the second year of production for the Type-II Harpers Ferry Model 1803 rifle. The M1803 was the first “regulation pattern” rifle adopted by the army, which had until that point procured rifles like their civilian counterparts and varying in detail by maker or contract. They are attractive rifles with .54 caliber barrels running octagonal to round (from the breech,) with a single baluster ring at the transition. They are half stocked, provided with a barrel rib to support ramrod thimbles, and brass mounted, including a patchbox. The M1803 falls into two basic types corresponding to separate production runs: the first from 1804 into 1807, with a total of 4,013 guns (plus four pattern guns,) and the second from 1814, spurred by the need to arm three new rifle regiments in the War of 1812, and continuing through 1820 with a total of 15,707 manufactured.

Production in 1814 ran to 1,600 and to 1,508 in 1815, the date of this one. That date fits perfectly with elements of the gun. It has the more rounded rear tip to the lock plate and straight-sided hammer tang introduced after 1814, but uses the shorter 33-inch barrel specified in 1814 (actually 33 1/14 inches here,) that was superseded by a 36-inch barrel in 1816 (though  which had been used intermittently before then.) The barrel is silver gray mixed with darker gray spots, freckling and salt-and-pepper shallow pitting, with smoother metal on the octagonal portion back to the breech. Front and rear sights are in place, as is the barrel rib on the underside and the ramrod thimbles, which match the barrel for color and condition. The ramrod is brass tipped, an innovation that seems to have come in around 1811. The steel matches the barrel and rib and it looks like it has been with the rifle forever.

The lock plate markings are good: “HARPERS/FERRY/1815” behind the hammer with some rubbing to the “FE” and the Federal Eagle with shield marked “U.S.” on its chest in front of the hammer, with slight rubbing to the “U.S.” The finial of the frizzen spring is pointed, indicating a replacement. The left breech of the barrel is correctly marked with two oval impressed proofs, one with a raised eagle’s head over a “P” and the other with a raised “U.S.” Both show very well. As is correct for the Type-II, there is no serial number, the practice having been discontinued before reintroduction of the pattern.

The brass mounts - rear entry pipe, reinforcing stock band, sideplate, triggerguard and handrail, buttplate, and patchbox - have a matching, pleasing, medium tone with the triggerguard and patchbox showing just a tad lighter from handling. The latter is deeply engraved a non-descript figure followed by “50,” but which seems to have been the number “350,” with the “3” then altered, perhaps later to create a more pleasing design than simple numerical designation after the gun passed into militia or civilian hands. The stock is very good, with nice color and edges to the counterpane and lock apron. It shows one small gouge on the underside, next to the triggerguard finial, otherwise just small dings and shallow scratches. The cheekrest shows some wear, indicating use. The counterpane shows light dings, a crescent drag line, etc., but also a partially visible cartouche near the upper lock screw that seems to have a “V” and Moller notes the stamp of a V/JS as the acceptance stamp of Superintendent James Stubblefield in this position on another 1815 dated rifle. We do not make out any other stamps at rear of flat. Mechanics function very well; rifling is very good, and bore is clean.  There is a ring of pitting approximate 4” from the muzzle.

This would fill a key spot in a collection of muzzle-loading U.S. military rifles, arms of the War of 1812, the regular army in its early days, or early U.S. westward expansion.  [sr] [ph:L]

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