3572

FINE DERINGER CONTRACT 1840 FLINTLOCK RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
FINE DERINGER CONTRACT 1840 FLINTLOCK RIFLE.
Cal. 54. NSN. This is a fine example of last flintlock rifle made by US contract. Deringer produced 6000 rifles for March 1840 contract & last were delivered February 1841. Most of these rifles are found w/ percussion conversion locks. This is a very scarce rifle in original flint. Standard configuration w/ 36" rnd. bbl., typical Deringer 7 deep lands & grooves, dovetailed front sight & fixed notch rear sight, proofed “US” on top of breech & to left “JH”, “P”. The lockplate has a lg. “US” over “DERINGER / PHILADA” forward of cock & “1841” vertically at tail. Full stock w/ 1817 style patchbox, 3 spring retained flat bands, brass tipped ramrod like used in model 1841 percussion “Mississippi” rifles, the sideplate is also in style of M1841 & trigger plate has no skeletal pistol grip like the earlier produced M1817's. The left stock flat has well defined cartouches “JH”(Joseph Hannis) & “WAT” (William A. Thornton). George Moller in his “American Military Shoulder Arms”, vol. 2, pages 446-447 describe this last contract variation of the Model 1817 contract rifle. CONDITION: very good overall. Metal has mottled gray patina w/ staining & pitting. Markings all discernible. Stock is sound & solid, well fit w/ storage dings, dents & scratches w/ fairly sharp edges & good discernible inspector’s cartouches. Mechanics are crisp w/ sharp rifled bore. (01-17452/JS). ANTIQUE. $2,000-3,000.