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1826 Vintage R & J.D. Johnson U.S. Model of 1817 Flintlock Rifle in .54 Caliber Cap & Ball ** RARE Handsome Original "Common Rifle" **
Guns International #: 102670887 Seller's Inventory #: CBP22-37
Category: Military Rifles - Antique - Military Rifles - US
Seller's Information
When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com
Seller: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc.
Company: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc.
Member Since: 4/27/15
State: Kentucky
Zip: 40503
Country: United States
Phone: (859) 276-1419
Fax: (859) 278-0838
Platinum Seller
Number of Active Listings: 174
Total Number of Listings: 14954
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Visa,Master Card, Discover,Check
Description:
We are very pleased to present this very cool and rare all-original U.S. Model 1817 Flintlock Rifle manufactured by the R & J.D. Johnson Company of Middletown, Connecticut in 1826. Known as the "Common Rifle" dating back to it's actual time in use to differentiate between it and the breechloading Hall's Patent Model 1819 rifle, the Model 1817 Flintlock was built entirely by contractors based off of pattern rifles made at the Harper's Ferry Armory. The U.S. Model 1817 was made from 1817 to the early 1840's with most of the production occuring in the 1820's. There was a total quantity produced estimated at 38,200 Model 1817 rifles. U.S. Military Contracts were awarded to 5 different contractors during it's production: H. Derringer of Philadelphia, PA.(approx 13,000 mfg.), R. Johnson of Middletown, CT.(approx 5,000 mfg.), R & J.D. Johnson of Middletown, CT.(approx 3,000 mfg.), N. Starr of Middletown, CT.(approx 10,020 mfg.), and S. North of Middletown, CT.(approx 7,200 mfg.). The U.S. Model 1817 Flintlock Rifle was chambered in .54 caliber and featured a 36" inch round barrel finished brown with 7-groove rifling, three barrel bands, iron mountings, a case-hardened lockplate with a seperate brass fenceless flashpan, a steel ramrod with a trumpet type head capped in brass, and a Walnut stock with an oval steel patchbox on the right side of the buttstock. The Model 1817 saw lots of varied service and was in use all over country well past the percussion rifle becoming the standard. Despite being a flintlock, there is evidence that a large number of the Model 1817's saw service in the American Civil War as well. This particular example was made by the R & J.D. Johnson firm of Middletown, CT., the firm that made the least number of Model 1817's (approx. 3,000). As you can see from the pictures, this is a very nice and handsome example that appears to be totally original. Every part on this rifle shows age and a patina consistent with the rest of the rifle, making it not only a very good investment piece but a surperior decorator. Nothing looks like it has been excessively cleaned or "improved" by some collector along the way. All of the metal parts range in color from brown to brown-gray, exactly what you want to see on a rifle of this age. There are no eyesores or bad spots on the gun, most of the metal has a nice smooth look to it and is in very good condition, with only small areas of shallow pitting where you expect to see them like around the flashpan and on top of the barrel aorund the lock. All of the original factory markings are still intact and visible, including a lot of the fine detail of the eagle below the "U.S." marking and above the R & J.D. Johnson maker-mark on the lockplate. The lockplate is dated 1826 behind the hammer vertically, and the barrel is stamped 1826 on the upper tang. The top and left side of the chamber area of the barrel is well marked with "US" over "A.H" over a proof "P", and right above the flat on the left side there is a large "N" and "H" stamped. Whether this "N H" signifies New Hampshire ownership or something else is not known. The lock on this rifle is in good working order with strong spring pressure on the frizzen open or closed, and both the half and full-cock notches intact and solid on the hammer. The trigger works perfectly. The bore in this Common Rifle is very good, with strong rifling visible throughout and little to no pitting. What little pitting is visible is extremely shallow. The original sights are also still intact and in good condition, still centered on the bore axis. The original stock and all of the fittings on this Model 1817 are in great shape. The Walnut stock is free from any major cracks, damage, or repairs, and shows only numerous minor handling marks and nicks/dings/dents that you would expect to see on a flintlock of this age. The original barrel bands are all still intact and in-place, as are the steel bandsprings holding them in place. As far as deductions go on the stock hardware, the middle barrel band is missing the sling swivel, and the original screw in the top barrel tang has one side broken off from the slot. The original steel buttplate is still nice and tight to the wood, and the "U.S." stamp is still clear and legible. The original factory steel patchbox on this flintlock is in great shape. The hinge is in perfect shape and is still tight, and the spring-loaded door stays locked closed unless the release tab at the upper edge is pressed firmly to open it. The hollowed out compartment is solid and clean, and all of the patchbox hardware is intact except for one screw that is missing on the lower hinge plate, visible in picture 6 to the right of the steel spring that puts tension on the door. The nosecap, ramrod, and triggerguard / lower tang are all in very good condition. All in all, this is one of the nicest original U.S. Model 1817 Flintlocks we have seen in a long time, and it would be a superb addition to any antique American arms collection. If only certain guns could talk, one could only imagine what amazing American history this piece has witnessed.
Price: $3,850.00
Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .54
Manufacturer: R & J.D. Johnson
Model: U.S. Model 1817 Flintlock Rifle - "Common Rifle
Serial Number: None
Barrel Length: 36" Inches
Condition: Very Good
Metal Condition: Very Good
Wood Condition: Very Good
Bore Condition: Very Good
Action: Muzzle-Loading Flintlock
Finish: Browned / Case Colored
Sights: Fixed Iron Sights
Manufacture Date: 1826