Harpers Ferry Model 1819 Hall Rifle .52 Cal Percussion Converted Antique

SOLD FOR: $1,225.00

LSB#: LSB250517CP002

Make: Harpers Ferry 

Model: U.S. Model 1819 Hall Patent Breech-Loading Percussion-Converted Rifle 

Serial#: NSN 

Year of Manufacture: 1832

Caliber: .52 Caliber 

Action Type: Percussion-Ignition Single-Shot Lever-Actuated Breech-Loaded Rifle  

Barrel Length: 32 5/8”

Sights/ Optics: The front sight/bayonet lug is fixed by the muzzle. The rear sight is a dovetailed “V”-notch.  

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is one-piece wood featuring a forend cap secured by a spring-clip, a slot in the forend for the included ramrod, two barrel bands secured by spring-clips (the forward barrel band has a fixed sling swivel), a sling swivel fixed to the front of the trigger guard, a straight wrist with finger grooves integral to the bottom tang, a straight comb and a metal butt-plate. The stock has scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. The wrist has broken and been repaired with a number of pins, the bottom of the stock is cracked in front of the latch. There are cracks below each of the reinforcing bars to each side of the receiver. There are small losses along the edges of the ramrod slot. There are a few smaller losses. There are spots of discoloration. The LOP measures 14″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has scattered erosion and pitting. Overall, the stock is in about Good condition as refinished and repaired. 

Type of Finish: Bright 

Finish Originality: Original to conversion.

Bore Condition: The bore is dark. The last 1″ at the muzzle end is not rifled. The rifling is well defined. There is erosion and minor pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 5/10. 

Overall Condition: The surfaces have scattered light erosion and minor pitting. The nose of the hammer shows polish marks. There are some scattered nicks and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are legible. Overall, this rifle is in Good-plus condition as Antique.  

Mechanics: The action functions correctly including the half-cock safety. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.   

Box Paperwork and Accessories:  The ramrod stored under the barrel is included. 

Our Assessment: John H. Hall (ca. 1781-1841) was an inventor and gunsmith from New England. He patented a unique breech-loaded rifle design in 1811, the design earned him a contract from the U.S. War Department in 1819 to produce 1,000 rifles based on the patent. Hall moved to Harpers Ferry to oversee the production of these new guns, among the most interesting accomplishments of the skilled inventor was the construction of workshops with machinery that were designed to produce interchangeable parts for his new guns. Hall noted in a letter to the Secretary of War in late December of 1822, “I have succeeded in establishing methods for fabricating arms exactly alike, & with economy, by the hands of common workmen, & in such manner as to ensure a perfect observance of any established model, & to furnish in the arms themselves a complete test of their conformity to it.” Indeed, Hall devoted much of his attention applying the theory of interchangeability to production and is credited with playing an important role in paving the way for America’s industrial revolution for his methods would be implemented in America’s early factories.   

This is a Hall Model 1819 which was a flintlock-ignition breech-loaded rifle, but has since been converted to percussion-ignition. The gun, while innovative, was not necessarily the most practical, despite this the design certainly helping to pave the way for America’s later adoption of breech-loaders after the Civil War. To load the breech, you have to push the breech upwards with a lever situated ahead of the trigger. This is a decently well preserved, and relatively uncommon, American martial arm from the early 19th century which played an important role in the growth of this great country. Good luck on your bid!  

Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud