Anybody know what this is?

[Protrucker]

 

[rabjr]

Yep, thats a Hall rifle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_rifle

 

[paulvallandigham]

IOf my memory serves me well, I believe that is a Halls( sp?) Breech loading, tip action, flintlock rifle. It was just one of several designs advanced in the late 18th century- the Ferguson rifle with it turn screw breech block was the other that comes to my mind-- that attempted to solve the problem of all the field casualties the occured within the ranks of soldiers as they stood to reload their rifles.

 

[Protrucker]

Right on!
What do you know about the function of them?

 

[mazo kid]

Looks like a mdl. 1819 Hall U.S. Breechloading flintlock rifle, made by Harper's Ferry Arsenal. Oops, looks like others have posted while I was typing.Emery

 

[rabjr]

Oh god I'm not sure, think I read somewhere where they can become troublesome after several rounds without cleaning. But they apparently where good enough to be issued as percussion locks too later on.

 

[jtmattison]

OMG, that's an inline!!!!!
:haha:
That's mighty cool!

HD

 

[mazo kid]

The breechblock is released by the lever in front of the trigger guard and pivots up for loading powder and ball. The rifling stops about 1-1/2" from the muzzle, apparently to facilitate muzzleloading if the breech block was frozen up through fouling. Emery

 

[smokehouseman]

Nice photographs. :bow:

 

[Stumpkiller]

I understand some soldiers also carried the block alone as a pistol. Much handy in a Mexican bar before Colt came along.

 

[faw3]

See in different books that made a fair hand gun by pulling the breach block out and shooting ! :rotf: what ever works man! Fred :hatsoff:

 

[torn moc]

I have never seen a Hall in flintlock...just caplock. Thanks for the photos.

 

[Bountyhunter]

Fred,

Wasnt that designed so that you could carry extra breechblocks, fire one, and then just drop in a full one, and go again? Seems I read about that.

There was a movie where Clint Eastwood played a settler, and he used a Hall rifle. Seems that he made one kill with just the breechblock. Aint much on names.....dont remember the name of the show.

B

 

[PaulN/KS]

I recall that they were good enough to be the issue rifle to a cavalry unit out of Fort Leavenworth in the early 1820's...I think they were in flintlock at that time.
(I'll have to admire the pictures when I get home. Danged net nanny) :cursing:

 

[rabjr]

I think being able to mass produce parts that were interchangeable was one thing but producing extra blocks for every gun would be cost prohibitive no? Plus it wouldn't take many extra blocks being carried by a soldier before they were overwhelmed lol.

 

[CoyoteJoe]

The Hall may look like a cobbled up gizmo but actually the government issued many thousands of them and they did see extensive service, even as late as Mr. Lincoln's war.
The carbines were quite popular and strangely enough, most carbines and quite a few long guns were smoothbore. That seems odd since with breech loading there is no advantage to a smoothbore over a rifled bore.
They did sometimes blow out the side of the stock when loose grains of powder accumulated under the breech block and then ignited.
They were widely issued to cavalry and dragoons in preference to the muzzleloading musketoon which had trouble keeping a ball seated when carried muzzle down on horseback. The Hall was also much easier to reload on horseback.
They also produced a "long range" rifle with special sights and it was said to be quite accurate.
I've also heard the tales of using the breech block as a pistol but think it's value would be threat only, with no barrel at all ahead of the ball it would probable bounce off anything unlucky enough to be hit.
It is surprising that they are so rare today, considering the great number produced. I suspect that after being retired from military service there was no civilian market so no chance they would be preserved as "family heirlooms".

 

[Doc Arroyo]

. That seems odd since with breech loading there is no advantage to a smoothbore over a rifled bore.

I don't know Joe. Which one would you rather be trying to reload while under fire? While lying down hiding behind a not big enough log? :hmm:

 

[tmdreb]

The carbines were quite popular and strangely enough, most carbines and quite a few long guns were smoothbore. That seems odd since with breech loading there is no advantage to a smoothbore over a rifled bore.

(post trimmed)

They were widely issued to cavalry and dragoons in preference to the muzzleloading musketoon which had trouble keeping a ball seated when carried muzzle down on horseback. The Hall was also much easier to reload on horseback.

I do believe you answered your own question here.

 

Looks like it is in darned good condition. Have you had it appriased?

 

[tg]

"OMG, that's an inline!!!!!"


I don't know...looks like the vent hole must go 90degrees or at least at some angle to the line of the bore..