U.S. Model 1803 Harpers Ferry Transitional Rifle Dated 1816 in Original Flint
Sale 2030 - Arms, Armor and Militaria
Oct 23, 2024
10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati
Estimate
$7,000 -
$10,000
Lot Description
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 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.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
The Collection of John Vagnetti
ex-Bill Gerber Collection, Robert Howard Estate Collection
Condition Report
Very good to near fine. Bore very good with strong rifling consisting of 7 narrow grooves. Bore with a moderate amount of scattered oxidation and some scattered pitting. Metal with a mottled, moderately oxidized gray patina. Moller notes that all Type II 1803 Rifles were finished in the bright. Breech with some light pitting and touchhole shows moderate erosion but remains completely unmolested, as verified by endoscopic examination. Markings remain relatively clear in the metal and in the wood. Mechanically functional lock remains in original flint and is quite crisp. Stock very good to fine and fairly crisp with good lines and edges. Wood shows no indications of sanding, but does show some lightly added oil, otherwise with scattered bumps, dings and mars. A really lovely and correct example.
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