The First American Military Breechloading Rifle....,

[Loyalist Dave]

And because it was made and adopted before 1865, AND uses an external ignition, as a flintlock (although later versions were caplock) we can discuss this.

Did you know this may be the ONLY design of a breechloader that qualifies to be used during muzzleloader and "primitive" hunting seasons in every state in the USA?

HOW? Well for example, the Fergusson is a flintlock, but because the ball is placed into the back of the barrel, and the powder charge is poured in behind the ball, it's a true breech loader and not a muzzleloader. The Smith carbine, uses preloaded cartridges, but they are fired using an external cap, and the same same is true of the Sharps copies that use paper cartridges... so they are not muzzleloaders either. HOW then is the Hall different? You load the breech area from the muzzle on the breech. When closed the loaded breech area has a small gap which constitutes a "barrel" that is then joined to the rest of the barrel, but THAT makes this a rifle with short barrel and a barrel "extender". In fact one can remove the breech area and fire a projectile without it attached to the rest of the barrel.

HALL FLINTLOCK RIFLE

The final version of the Hall, the Hall-North percussion carbine musket....

HALL-NORTH 1843 Musket Carbine

LD

 

[Rifleman1776]

Clutzy but interesting. A unique step in the evolution of American firearms.

 

[Barud]

And because it was made and adopted before 1865, AND uses an external ignition, as a flintlock (although later versions were caplock) we can discuss this.

Did you know this may be the ONLY design of a breechloader that qualifies to be used during muzzleloader and "primitive" hunting seasons in every state in the USA?

HOW? Well for example, the Fergusson is a flintlock, but because the ball is placed into the back of the barrel, and the powder charge is poured in behind the ball, it's a true breech loader and not a muzzleloader. The Smith carbine, uses preloaded cartridges, but they are fired using an external cap, and the same same is true of the Sharps copies that use paper cartridges... so they are not muzzleloaders either. HOW then is the Hall different? You load the breech area from the muzzle on the breech. When closed the loaded breech area has a small gap which constitutes a "barrel" that is then joined to the rest of the barrel, but THAT makes this a rifle with short barrel and a barrel "extender". In fact one can remove the breech area and fire a projectile without it attached to the rest of the barrel.

HALL FLINTLOCK RIFLE

The final version of the Hall, the Hall-North percussion carbine musket....

HALL-NORTH 1843 Musket Carbine

LD

Hello,

I've seen other similar tip-up chamber designs from earlier. Would they not qualify as well?

 

[Indy Durtdigger]

I've seen the Hall rifles asked about here in Indiana more than once over the years. The answer has always been no, they don't meet the state's legal definition to be used during the muzzle loader only season.

 

[Sam squanch]

I’ve seen a few halls, and shot one. One in collector grade is too valuable to drag in the woods, and the one I shot was so wore I saw nothing but a blast of flame in front of my face! And I will always remember the exhibit in the Missouri capital. It may still be there, of a hall carbine with most of the stock around the reciver gone, from a buildup of loose powder that leaked down in there….

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Hello,

I've seen other similar tip-up chamber designs from earlier. Would they not qualify as well?

Not unless the United States Government bought them and issued them

LD