Name/Title
Model 1817 U.S. Flintlock RifleEntry/Object ID
339Description
Model 1817 U.S. Flintlock Rifle (also known as "Common Rifle"), dated 1827, by R. and J. D. Johnson, Middletown, Connecticut. 54 caliber rifled with seven grooves; single shot muzzleloader; 36-inch round barrel, fastened with three barrel bands; iron mountings, finished brown, including barrel; casehardened lockplate; separate attached brass flashpan without fence; steel ramrod with trumpet type head capped with brass tip; two sling swivels, one attached at underside of middle barrel band, one at trigger guard.
Walnut stock repaired by donor; oval patchbox on right side of butt; "JE" stamped inside patchbox on left and right sides of the oval; also inside is a paper affixed to the bottom with handwritten "J M Ernst".
Marks: Lockplate with center marked "US." above eagle motif with "R. & J.D. JOHNSON" in an arc under eagle; rear of lockplate marked vertically with "1827" and "MIDDN CONN" in an arc (N in MIDDN is superscript); barrel marked at breech with "US" above "AH" above "P" within a circle; barrel tang marked "1827"; buttplate tang marked with "US"; stock opposite lockplate is a cartouche with "AH" in script enclosed in an oval
Reference: Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms, 9th edition, p. 555.
According to JCM historian, the design for this rifle was created at Harpers Ferry Armory; this rifle is an example of contract arms supplied to militia. John Ernst, Shepherdstown, was a member of the Shepherdstown Light Infantry, which became the Hamtramck Guards.Acquisition
Accession
253Source or Donor
Adams, RichardAcquisition Method
Gift