One thing to note is that barrel thicknesses varied considerably on the military rifles of all production after the prototypes. 30, 120, 208, & 250. If we take a closer look at riflemen of the period, knowing Lewiss secret gathering of supplies for a larger exploring party than first projected, the journals themselves and the structural aspect of the rifle, this theory can be dispelled. This is certainly The stock displays four sun shaped inlays filled with pine resin that can be seen in the above stock photos. Slings were never a part of the American rifleman culture in the 18th and 19th century for a good reason they got in the way when stalking game and they snag on equipment when traveling on horseback or in canoes. Clark, July 2, 1806 We gave the Second gun to our guides agreeable to our promis..two of the rifles have unfortunately bursted near the muscle. Land claims given to veterans of the Revolutionary War were in this new area, but the Indians were not ready to peacefully give up their ancient lands to encroachment. Dearborn undoubtedly had a new Model 1800 in his hands in order to make the above changes. 1792 contract rifle - Wikipedia Initially 908 rifles went to Ft. Pitt and 100 to Virginia. From ALL original guns examined, serial numbers were placed in a manner to the right of the oval US cartouche without leaving enough space to insert another number. Arsenal Superintendent Perkin was the ideal person to provide this interchangeability of locks due to his prior reputation for lock making at Rappahannock Forge in Virginia. (Brown, op. Eleven different gunsmiths took the contract on, delivering 1,476 rifles between April 1792 and December 1792. The one thing found on this rifle that we have never seen on ANY long rifle is a cartouche on the upper left barrel flat near the breech where military markings of any type are always placed, especially an inspector cartouche in this case IW in a sunken half circle placed in the same manner as the later Model 1803 barrel markings upside down so it can be viewed from the top looking down on the barrel. available evidence demonstrates that the expedition members carried The U.S. M1814 rifle was designed by Robert T. Wickham. It is interesting to note that the ball was to be loaded with ease. *********************************************************************, Harpers Ferry rifle production capabilities. Considering the emergency under which these rifles were ordered, they probably were NOT budgeted for 1803. (What's with all these "Henrys"? British soldiers returning to England after our American Revolution spun tales about the unerring accuracy of our long rifle that are hard to dispel even today. According to the journals, Windsors rifle had burst on the morning of June 16,1806. It is important to keep in mind that when reading period journals, we think in the language of that period. Getz is known to have stamped an eagles head on Indian rifles he inspected in 1807. Guns of the Grunt: 1813 :: Guns.com ABOVE: The buckhorn style rear sight found on Lewiss 15 rifles and ALL pre-December, 1803 manufactured rifles. There was only one individual working within the gun procurement circles at that time to whom the IW mark may could have belonged Israel Whelan. Each rifle was still an individually produced weapon with no interchangeability of parts. As noted, all 1803 and many early 1804 rifles have ROUNDED undersides at the breech end. Note the uneven US stamping below the eagle. The steel ramrod, even when greasy from use, is heavy enough to push the ball down the bore if the proper combination of patch and ball used. of Gunpowder, , 52 Leaden Canisters for Gunpowder, and 1 8,, Pg.302). Harper,s Ferry M1800 Rifle serial number 15. (1) The design (patterning) of new weapons at this time could be a slow process, identical to the British methods and done without drawings. The Secretary of War, Henry Knox began procuring rifles for the army. Since we could not personally examine all the guns serial numbers submitted, we had to acknowledge them as either confirmed (examined and assembly numbers matching) or unconfirmed (unexamined and unknown if assembly numbers match). The lowest SN of an 1804 dated military rifle was 909 (confirmed) and the highest 1,520 (unconfirmed). Our first official Rifle Corps was raised by act of Congress on April 12, 1808 consisting of 849 men. A second contract for the same weapon took place in 1794. It is important to note the spacing of the numbers that all start the same distance away from the US cartouche which in most cases would not allow another number to be inserted between the cartouche and the first number. Every Collectors Guide on U.S. military firearms has the calibre of these very important rifles wrong (as well as other flintlock government contract rifles to follow but that is another story) because no one took the time to properly gauge the bore. In all actuality, they could not have left us better evidence regarding their use of the new short rifles soon to be part of the Army inventory.(50). Barrel profiles were round at the breech for all 1803 dated rifles. The most convincing evidence of the use of the new Model 1800 short rifle on the Voyage of Discovery comes from entries in the various journals kept on the expedition by Lewis, Clark, and his Sergeants. The English system of averdupois uses 453.6 grams per pound, and they used the term caliber to denote bore size, not ball size. (43) Correspondence with and Documents provided by E.I DuPont Manuscripts & Archives Department/ July,2004. Winchester transferred most of their collection to Cody in 1976. See Muzzleloader Magazine, The Class of 06, by Alex Miller September, October, November & December, 2006. Use of solid rib also begins with all military rifles. TYPE V Military rifles built with the newly designed 36 (a June,1815 request) barrel with round bottom rifling. (13) Major James E. Hicks, U.S. Military Firearms/ 1776-1956, (James E. Hicks & Son, 1962), Pg. SN 94, (2)14 and 359 are pre-Dec 1803 military production, both with December,1803 requested upgrades (front band and sight change) except for the upper ramrod pipe. Jefferson, up to 1802, held ongoing negotiations with France toward purchase of only New Orleans. Again, it is very important to recognize that Lewiss rifles had absolutely nothing to do with the upcoming 1803 military contract. Usually, as common sense would dictate, only one pattern rifle was made at a time. What may be significant is that he not only mentions the rifles within 3 months of starting his entries again in January,1806, but does so in 5 of the following 6 months. He immediately went to work for John Strode, manager of Rappahannock Forge in Virginia where he became renowned for his gunlock skills. 9, Pg. John Newman, expelled from the party and sent back with the large boat in 1804, also returned to the mountains, to be killed by the Sioux. Tait made a strong case that Lewis must have picked up fif- teen rifles from the U.S. Contract of 1792 or 1794. The journals are very specific about their movements at any time and in various places. All of the above are estimated 1803 production SN ranges based upon the earliest serial number of a confirmed 1804 dated rifle (as done with each year block). All other rifles produced had brass front blades. So, the first thing I did was get the Moulton 13 volume set on his expedition (borrowed it from Phil Schreier on a permanent type loan) and spend one whole summer reading all of them cover to cover. After Confederate artillery took positions on Maryland and Bolivar Heights that overlooked the town, they unleashed a barrage that threatened Union . The style and placement of these markings varied considerably on the guns we inspected, from tiny detailed marks to big, crude scratches and cuts, so you must study them carefully. Davide Pedersoli Napoleon reestablished peace with us in 1799. According to tradition his body was returned to his wife who buried him on a bluff overlooking the Missouri river near New Haven, Missouri. The standard service charge was 100 grains (in a rolled cartridge), allowing for 10 in the pan and 90 in the barrel. (6) The Spanish administered the French speaking colony. The rear sight is a buckhorn long rifle style (see appendix I), favored for using Kentucky windage by frontiersmen for long range shooting, stamped with the assembly number on the underside to match with the assembly number stamped in the dovetailed slot on the barrel (no other assembly number appears on the barrel, which is unusual since government rifles are marked on the underside, indicating perhaps a special run of guns. 1803 Harper's Ferry Rifle Not available at this time Lewis and Clark carried Harper's Ferry style rifles on their journey to the Pacific Ocean and back. The grooves should not be cut too deep.(#2). It would not have changed the size of the ball. It is a hammer poll type with a large US marking. The butt plate is of two-piece construction indicating hand fabrication before a mold was made to cast them for full military rifle production. 14. It was far superior to the previous long rifle that was unwieldy for his various modes of travel and varied in calibers, requiring each rifle to have its own bullet mold and powder charge. The late 1790s was still a dangerous and unsteady period in Americas growth and assured independence, with enemies and threats from many sides. Locks are somewhat interchangeable on the early rifles but in all cases they will display traces of fitting, either in the lock mortise or the lock itself (sear bent, mounting screw holes are enlarged, or some other noticeable work). Note placement of serial number on barrel. The short rifle, in any form, could not mount a sling without an addition barrel lug for support, so we know for sure the 1800/03 series of rifles were never intended for use of a sling. This placed the responsibility of striking a desired target directly upon the individual shooters proficiency with his selected load for his assigned rifle. The need for these rifles was so urgent that all guns were accepted despite many shortcomings, regardless if they were shipped directly to the troops or to an arsenal. With the advent of round bottom rifling the .520 round ball was probably retained. Many people believe that without these two special arms it may not have succeeded. (40) IBID, Vol 6, pg. (46) These two items put the slings into perspective all would be needed to fully equip the 15 additional men he would recruit at the various frontier posts carrying muskets with bayonets, a formidable weapon for defense. The records at the arsenal are not exact on the matter, as it appears the first 1803 prototype was produced six months after Lewis departed Maryland. 21 . See the special Chapter VIII for more information on these contract rifles. In addition, for this mark to be applied, the weapon passed some sort of inspection process by an arsenal inspector. The .520 calibre ball would ride on the lands and fouling would build only in the grooves only, giving the rifleman more shots between cleanings. Perhaps he inspected and marked all guns that came through his hands at Schuylkill Arsenal after 1797 until he became Purveyor of Public Stores in 1800. You will therefore take the necessary measures for commencing the manufactory as soon as may be after completing the Muskits now in hand. To fully understand the role this rifle played in our military history, one must also understand the times in which it appeared. U.S. Model 1803 Flintlock Rifle. Riflemen were given great latitude in the loading and firing of their assigned weapon. History - Don Stith As stated early in this article, one of his short rifles survived. It is a well- balanced and a fine example of the long rifle makers work. Each new writer simply took the word of a previous author without checking for themselves. Also shown is probably the type of powder horn issued with the axe to his men. (7) Official surviving correspondence relating to the short rifles is almost non-existent (at least to this date) other than the few letters from Henry Dearborn thus we are left with a puzzle with many missing pieces. Thus, you rarely (if ever) see a sling on a long rifle. His Model 1800 rifles, with a unique system of interchangeable locks, were ordered in March of 1803 and well into production two months before Secretary of War Dearborn placed that order. Details of Serial No. This list dispels all previously printed myths in many books on short rifle production. There is no mystery here, just very careful preparations for a long journey into a wilderness where no replacement equipment would be found. the first was repared with a new lock, the old one having become unfit for uce; the second had the cock screw broken which was replaced by a duplicate which had been made prepared for the lock at Harpers ferry where she was manufactured. Some believe that the contract rifles Lewis had modified for the expedition the majority were issued through Harpers Ferry. This also tells us that each person received and was responsible for his own rifle and carried it throughout the journey. We believe this was done to handle DuPonts new domestic rifle powder introduced in 1807 and called FFFg by 1808. Lewiss men were the first to use the new short rifle and no doubt practiced some of the same shooting principles incorporated into the 1812 Riflemans manual. Plains Indians also removed butt plates to use as hide scrappers. The lowest serial number we have examined with the 1803 changes or updates is No. The Model 1795 was produced in about 85,000 units until 1814. 26), for delivering 100 guns on the 1792 military contracts. Under pressure to deliver the guns, it is no wonder the final product varied considerably in caliber and barrel length. There is no reason not to believe that Dearborn was very much aware of the new rifle ready for production and thus sent Lewis to Harpers Ferry to acquire them. rifles were manufactured at Harpers Ferry and the rifles and extra parts were made all interchangeable. All subsequent rifles had brass blade front sights. 42-inch barrel that featured a patch-box with a push-button release. This sealed the fact that for all these years the caliber for 1803-1819 rifles listed in gun books is wrong. An 1812 publication The Handbook for Riflemen by William Duane, second in command of the United States Regiment of Riflemen from 1808 to 1810, states A rifleman is never supposed to leave his rifle unloaded, and contrary to the rule of the infantry, who always carry their arms on the left shoulder, the rifleman carries his, unless he shifts it for rest, on his right side, either trailed or at the advance.(47). After being given to states when obsolete, many were converted to percussion. Shooting a copy of this rifle has proven this correct, giving well over 30 shots between cleaning. We also have found, by serial number and 1803 dated locks, that as many as 700 rifles were made in that year. Correspondence in the 1795-1800 timeframe indicate that the rifles varied in barrel length from 42 to 44-1/2 and in calibers of .45 to .49. with all being identified to maker. This rifle, with its tremendous muzzle velocity, would have also impressed the Indians as it was the finest, most technologically advanced rifle of its day. It does not get any better than taking serial numbers and dates from existing specimens. The date of this passage and the use of the term short rifles is very important since it is still before any rifles were shortened by Shields. His rationality can be better understood if we look at our early history, historical documents and surviving weapons. It is believed that the Model 1792 Contract Rifle was quite possibly the rifle issued to the Lewis & Clark expedition from the Harper's Ferry Arsenal for the Expedition of Discovery. I have such convincing proof of the advantage the short rifle has over the long ones (commonly used) in actual service as to leave no doubt in my mind of preferring the short rifle, with larger Calibers than the long ones usually have and with stiff steel ramrods instead of wooden ones the great facility which such rifles afford in charging, in addition to their being less liable to become foul by firing, gives a decided advantage to an equal skill and dexterity over those armed with the common long rifle.(13). A reduced charge is more accurate, and it saves valuable powder. By that time, Lewis and Clark were leaving Adopted in 1803, this premier rifle (and the only flintlock rifle) built by a national armory at Harpers Ferry was, as stated earlier, a handsome gun, measuring some 49" overall. Vol 2, Pg. These were usually applied in three visible areas stock, barrel and lock to reassemble a rifle after cleaning. Note the hollow rib on rifle SN 15. TYPE IV Military rifle with 33 barrels made in 1814 to mid-1815 (before the 36 barrel request). needed rifles like the one Lewis had procured for the expedition, and Lewiss men probably exercised this prerogative, especially the Kentuckians who grew up with a rifle in their hands. His apparent diligence in gun matters won him a position of supervisor of New London Arsenal in 1792. Our serial number research shows that all first production military contract rifles (4000) were completed by the end of 1806 (none have been recorded to date with an 1807 dated lock plate), for a total of 4015 and possibly 4 early (Ca. The available inspectors of that period were very limited. This rifle had been inletted for the brass stock ferrule, but the band found with the rifle was a modern brass replacement making it impossible to ascertain exactly when it was attempted. Moller makes an interesting statement regarding storekeeper George Ingalls (Schuylkill Arsenal) 1810 records in his chapter on the 1807 contract rifles and is worth quoting in its entirety The dates that the rifles were entered in the storekeepers records usually summarized several earlier deliveries and should not be construed as the actual dates of deliveries. Indians did report at Edmonton Trading House that they had killed two trappers (Colter assumed dead) carrying one of the guns taken from them. cit./Table 1) Browns calculations were based upon the reconstructed Bomford records, whose total is correct, but we now know that his years of production are also incorrect. 42" rifled barrel bored 40 balls to the pound (about .490"), stock to be made from well seasoned maple, catch spring release to be high so as to be accessible to the thumb. (43) Duponts rifle powder, based upon a French formula lacked the quality saltpeter found in English powder, so it did not perform quite as well as the previously imported English rifle powder, but at least it cut our dependence on imported rifle powder. (17) Many collectors contributed information on existing military contract short rifles in the 1803 & 1804 range. It is not unreasonable to surmise that part of Colters settlement would have included a rifle and the rifle of choice would have been the one he carried on the expedition. cit., Vol 1, pg. TYPE I Lewis and Clark contract rifles (M1800 only) made specifically for their expedition. Just before the battle 2,256 members of the of the Kentucky militia showed up, many without arms, so 1,173 were provided with arms from arsenal stores in New Orleans. Again, every part examined and described herein displays matching assembly numbers, confirming that the rifle is an original arsenal assembly and unaltered since 1803. This basic fact completely rules out the use 1792 rifles on the expedition. Several ribs, previously mounted to finished barrels, let loose during subsequent work. (Jackson, op. letter to Perkin supports this, especially when Dearborn states that At 200 yards we could keep all shots on a man size silhouette. All the journals kept on the expedition used the new proper term short rifle when talking about this weapon. The J.J. Henry rifle was a working man's rifle, built in a couple of patterns the English, which resembled an English military arm, and the Lancaster style. If I can recover some better photos of the stock will add them. An 1810 inventory lists 3,113 short rifles and 188 long rifles fit for service on hand at Harpers Ferry. When this arsenal was abandoned in 1798, he was given the task of setting up the new government arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Measurements on everything varied. This is explained in detail in the story. One truth remains our riflemen did things with their weapons that awed those who observed. Another goal was to find the mythical North West passage, a water route to the Pacific. The new heptagonal rifling allowed more shots between cleaning, making it better than the English Baker Rifle. The short rifle, which we believe is all based upon prior successful British rifle designs, may not have taken as long as the development of an entirely new rifle. (11) Merritt Roe Smith, Harpers Ferry and the New Technology, (Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press, 1977), Pg. Right -1819 dated rifle, 36 barrel with 7 groove round bottom rifling with curved lands. Whelen also took delivery of 100 rifles from John Miles during April-June 1800 for an order placed by Tench Francis in Feb of 1800 (hinting that he was Franciss agent and thus regularly inspected guns). Lewis held Colter in high esteem, and he was well known among his peers as an honest and truthful man, adding credence to his encounter and story of survival. They were eventually made by George Ludlam in Philadelphia, Pa. at a cost of $.50 each with the bill paid on May 23, 1803. The process was similar to today, in which the government requests weaponry of certain specifications and then finds a manufacturer to build them. Also, ALL 1803 and some early 1804 rifles carry Joseph Perkins inspector cartouche IP in a circle. 26. This is a very good theory since only Lewis had any real opportunity to field test the rifles and make such suggestions. Confederate Victory. Americans along the Mississippi, especially the new State of Kentucky, were furious and the United States overtly began preparations for war (saber rattling) over this issue in early 1803. The prior proof that Dearborn refers to may have come directly from Lewis himself after his March 1803 visit to the arsenal, but whatever convincing proof he had was enough to place the May,1803 order for the Army. It's a somewhat controversial argument that this is one of the "short rifles" that was on the Lewis and Clark expedition but I knew the previous owner, the gentlemen that did the flawless research, and had the pleasure of seeing and holding the gun in person and I think the argument is iron-clad.
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1792 harpers ferry rifle