U.S. Model 1803 Harpers Ferry Transitional Rifle Dated 1816 in Original Flint

Western Expansion

.54 caliber. 33" wedge retained octagon to round barrel with under rib. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, walnut half-stock with raised cheek rest. Single shot muzzleloading flintlock US military rifle. 5.25" flat beveled flint lock in original flint configuration with rounded and fenced iron pan and flat beveled reinforced cock. Lock marked with a {Spread-Winged Eagle} with US in a shield in its breast forward of the cock and in three vertical lines to the rear HARPERS/FERRY/1816. Barrel with raised US and {Eagle Head}/P proofs in sunken ovals on the left angled breech flat. A deeply struck V/JS script cartouche is present on the counterpane, the mark of Harpers Ferry's longest serving superintendent James Stubblefield. The tail of the counterpane is stamped with a clear V/AT, an unknown Harper's Ferry inspector whose mark appears on guns circa 1815-1830. Butt with two-piece brass patchbox in obverse with release in top of buttplate. Fixed notch rear sight, dovetailed brass blade front sight. Not equipped with sling swivels or to accept a bayonet. Retains an original, full-length trumpet head ramrod with good threads at the end.

The original Model 1803 Rifle was produced at Harpers Ferry from 1804-1807 with a 33" barrel and a total production of 4,013. In 1814 production was resumed and a new 36" barrel length was adopted, although it did not become standard until the supplies of the shorter barrels were used up. This gun is a wonderful example of one of those transitional guns using an earlier 33" barrel. Between 1814 and 1820 an additional 15,707 rifles were produced, the majority with the new 36" barrel, including 4 sample rifles produced in 1813 for the use of Springfield Arsenal as patterns. A total of 2,052 M1803 Rifles were produced in 1816, and it was during 1816 that the new barrel length finally became standard with the older barrels being used up between 1814 and mid-1816.

The Model 1803 Rifle was unique in that it was the first official US military rifle to be produced at a National Armory and not a rifle acquired from contractors outside the US arsenal system. These rifles saw substantial use during the first half of the 19th century with many having a second life as percussion altered arms. Finding an original flint US Model 1803 Rifle with a strongly rifled bore is rare indeed these days and this is a very nice example worthy of being added to any advanced collection of early American martial arms.

The Collection of John Vagnetti

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

ex-Bill Gerber Collection, Robert Howard Estate Collection