OK, here's your chance to own a piece of history!
Or at least get some great photos of a historic rifle. Or see it in person if you live close by.
(I have no affiliation with this auction house)
Little John's has the highly controversial Harper's Ferry "Short Rifle" serial #15, that may have been made for Lewis and Clark.
Here's the link:
Link to the item listing with photos
Not in match ready condition!!
Here's the desc
U.S. Model 1800 flintlock rifle serial #15 made at Harper’s Ferry Arsenal
under the direction of Joseph Perkin and pre-dating
any other known specimen made at a National Armory and
presumed to be one of the 15 rifles made for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
An article published for the American Society of Arms Collectors
by Michael F. Carrick details and documents these short rifles
with barrel lengths of 33” and examines this gun’s construction
in detail and determines it to be a pre-production example
preceding the Army contract.
Also, it mentions a .54 caliber and variations in construction of rib and rear thimble.
This article is well-written and researched and refers to an article
by Richard Keller and Ernest Cowan entitled “The Short Rifle of Lewis & Clark”.
This article discusses this rifle, #15, and states that it is a Model 1800
made in the first 11 months of 1803. This article and the prior article
provide convincing theory that this Model existed and was produced
under Perkin’s supervision for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
This rifle was recently discovered by a Salt Lake City collector
who purchased it from a man who had acquired it in St. Louis approx. 40 years ago;
neither knew of its rarity. An exact copy termed continued production Model 1800
by “Rifles of Distinction” located in Jones, Oklahoma numbered 15 to match
and in mint condition in included in the lot along with production and research info
from these well recognized rifle smiths.
The rifle remains in untouched relic condition with no hammer
and period replaced patch box and many small repairs with filling of wood.
The lock plate and barrel appear to have been made ready to convert
to Flint but not converted probably due to wear
(It just would not have made sense to convert a worn out gun and gunsmith
just quit the project). In closing we would like to state there are differences
of opinion by experts on what rifles or muskets were carried by Lewis & Clark
after reading the articles by Carrick, Keller & Cowan we are convinced
there is a strong circumstantial case that this rifle was on the
Lewis & Clark Expedition. All experts do agree that this is the earliest known
proven example of a military rifle made at a National Armory.
A museum quality display. Est.: $75,000-$150,000.
Or at least get some great photos of a historic rifle. Or see it in person if you live close by.
(I have no affiliation with this auction house)
Little John's has the highly controversial Harper's Ferry "Short Rifle" serial #15, that may have been made for Lewis and Clark.
Here's the link:
Link to the item listing with photos
Not in match ready condition!!
Here's the desc
U.S. Model 1800 flintlock rifle serial #15 made at Harper’s Ferry Arsenal
under the direction of Joseph Perkin and pre-dating
any other known specimen made at a National Armory and
presumed to be one of the 15 rifles made for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
An article published for the American Society of Arms Collectors
by Michael F. Carrick details and documents these short rifles
with barrel lengths of 33” and examines this gun’s construction
in detail and determines it to be a pre-production example
preceding the Army contract.
Also, it mentions a .54 caliber and variations in construction of rib and rear thimble.
This article is well-written and researched and refers to an article
by Richard Keller and Ernest Cowan entitled “The Short Rifle of Lewis & Clark”.
This article discusses this rifle, #15, and states that it is a Model 1800
made in the first 11 months of 1803. This article and the prior article
provide convincing theory that this Model existed and was produced
under Perkin’s supervision for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
This rifle was recently discovered by a Salt Lake City collector
who purchased it from a man who had acquired it in St. Louis approx. 40 years ago;
neither knew of its rarity. An exact copy termed continued production Model 1800
by “Rifles of Distinction” located in Jones, Oklahoma numbered 15 to match
and in mint condition in included in the lot along with production and research info
from these well recognized rifle smiths.
The rifle remains in untouched relic condition with no hammer
and period replaced patch box and many small repairs with filling of wood.
The lock plate and barrel appear to have been made ready to convert
to Flint but not converted probably due to wear
(It just would not have made sense to convert a worn out gun and gunsmith
just quit the project). In closing we would like to state there are differences
of opinion by experts on what rifles or muskets were carried by Lewis & Clark
after reading the articles by Carrick, Keller & Cowan we are convinced
there is a strong circumstantial case that this rifle was on the
Lewis & Clark Expedition. All experts do agree that this is the earliest known
proven example of a military rifle made at a National Armory.
A museum quality display. Est.: $75,000-$150,000.
