The arms race was very much alive at that time and our fear of having to face British troops armed with a superior rifle forced the U.S. Army to come up with one equal to or better rifle than theirs. (14) For many years the caliber(bore size) of the short rifle has been defined as .54, an error caused by measuring the rifle at the muzzle where it is swamped for easy insertion of the patched ball. the 200 rifled carbines purchased by the British from Germany (Germanic Pattern 1776) and the 800 rifled carbines that followed (British Pattern 1776) based upon the Germanic rifle and the 100 plug guns (Ferguson Rifle). He confided in one of his associates that his primary reason for selling the entire territory was that the United States would encroach upon it and take it regardless of his desires to the contrary. Lewis wrote to Jefferson on July 7, 1803: Yesterday I shot my guns and examined the several articles which had been manufactured for me at this place; they appear to be well executed. His rifle was never unloaded and always carried at the trail or advance on his right side. locks and spare lock parts for each rifle. (26)(24), Clark writes of the same event: The Guns of Sergt. Writers today lump these rifles into basically one class Model 1803, but the story is not that simple and needs to be told for future collectors and historians. It is both significant and fortunate that Perkin had some of the best gunsmiths and artisans available for Lewiss project, many of whom already were, or would become, noted gunsmiths in their own rights. He also had the gunsmiths add swivels to these weapons, Pennsylvania gunsmiths produced these weapons, which were .49 caliber with a 42-inch barrel. (21) The fact that he shot the rifles at the arsenal also hints that they were of a totally different design than the M1792 long rifle with which he was already well familiar. The center pipe was not placed at the center of the rib but about 2 forward of center. The Gumpf rifle was most likely one of the rifles made on this contract and sent directly to Schuylkill Arsenal. from Lewis to Jefferson, it appears that Lewis had the arsenal shorten 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. His tomahawks were no doubt the same as those supplied to the riflemen of Waynes Legions in 1792 as part of the long rifle accouterment set (axe, pouch & horn). transcontinental water route to the Pacific Ocean through the It was caused by measuring across the muzzle of the rifle where it is swamped (tapered) to allowed a ball to be started into the muzzle with the thumb a characteristic found on our early long rifles but most adopted from British Pattern 76 rifle that was undoubtedly examined during the initial design phases of out M1800 rifle. NO serial numbers. In one incident, a rifleman left his tomahawk at a previous campsite and Lewis sent him back to retrieve it. It is the first style American issue military horn. John Collins, who was flogged for being AWOL and stealing whiskey, returned West with William Ashleys 1823 expedition, being killed in a battle with the Arikaras that same year. Apparently guns of both contracts were directly delivered to various sources where needed but 1,060 rifles show up in stock at Schuylkill arsenal on Jan 1, 1797, the surplus needed for emergencies as they arose. 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. Because the 1792's had already seen 8 to 10 years of hard frontier service and from a gunmakers point of veiw, to try and take 15 rifles by 17 different makers and make them all interchangable It lays to rest any notion that the term short rifle used prior to or after July 2, 1806 was referring any type of cut down long rifles since both cut rifles disappear into history in the hands of two Indian guides. Thomas Rodney called Lewiss air rifle she when he wrote about his encounter with Lewis on September 7, 1803 ..he shewed us the mode of charging herbut she by some means lost the whole charge of air Just for a matter of information, U.S. arsenals were also using the French metric thread system on the short rifle screws simply because we copied a Charleville type musket in 1795. [1] The rifles were to be delivered in units of 100 as quickly as possible. Eventually it was bored smooth and converted to percussion, serving either an Indian or trapper for many, many years with crude sun decorations added at some point in its life. In July of 1803 Jefferson made the official announcement of the Louisiana purchase in the United States, the same month Lewis picked up his rifles at Harpers Ferry. We found the Model 1800 rifle to be most accurate with a 65-grain charge. is to manufacture. Overall weights and lengths vary on the 1803-1806 series of rifles. (6) The Spanish administered the French speaking colony. rifle than the typical "Kentucky" and well suited to the rigors of only one rifle in stock the 1792 / 1794 model. 9, Pg. Owned by Leon Budginas of Salt Lake City, Utah, it traces its origin back 35 years to a St. Louis Antique shop, where ironically the expeditions surviving arms and equipment were sold at public auction upon their return. modified 1792 / 1794 rifles, not the M1803 ones. 2. Judge Thomas Rodney, who met Lewis on his way West and accurately described Lewiss airgun, was appointed by Jefferson to settle all land disputes in the new Louisiana Territory, especially those holding previous legitimate land titles. We know from the 1812 riflemans manual that each soldier could select a powder charge best suited for his individual rifle, which usually was less than the standard service. Edward Flanagan, who wrote a paper on the 1792 and 1807 contract rifles, believes that the weapons were marked by the U.S. government, a lesson learned from gun thefts during the Revolutionary War. The fourth striking observation of the letter is the denouncing of the common long rifle as being unsuitable for actual service. Lewis wrote Jefferson on April 20, 1803 from Lancaster, Pa., explaining the difficulty encountered in building the iron frame of the portable boat, and goes on to note, My Rifles, Tomahawks & Knives are preparing at Harpers Ferry, and are already in a state of forwardness that leaves me little doubt of their being in readiness in due time.(12). Note the similarities in design. Its purpose was to defend the now open frontier. [1], In January 1792, U.S. Secretary of War Henry Knox authorized former General Edward Hand to contract with manufacturers for the rifles. These are true mountain man or Indian decorations. Jefferson, up to 1802, held ongoing negotiations with France toward purchase of only New Orleans. * Table of Contents, Chapter I The Lewis & Clark Short Rifle, Chapter II Harpers Ferry and the Model 1800 rifle, Chapter III Harpers Ferry Rifle Serial Number 15, Chapter IV Harpers Ferry Rifle Production Capabilities, Chapter V The Short Rifle of the Journals, Chapter VI Lewiss Short Rifles Summary, Chapter VIII The Common Long Rifle, Appendix I Short Rifle Categories Redefined, Appendix II Short Rifle Serial Numbers. If it did not meet expectations, another weapon was built until a satisfactory pattern weapon emerged from which production could begin. Even if Bomford is incorrect in his yearly production figures, the total production of 4015 (not including pattern rifle) would be unchanged. Corps of Discovery, whose mission was to find and map a It was Coxe (for whom Whelan worked) who placed an order for 1000 of the 1794 rifles. Front sight was a silver blade instead of brass found on all rifles produced after his special 15 rifles. The book, by its own admission, was influenced by Colonel Von Ewalds company of Hessian Jaegers in our Revolution. (38) Iron barrels of all types in the early to mid-18th century were of very poor-quality iron. (1) The design (patterning) of new weapons at this time could be a slow process, identical to the British methods and done without drawings. 1792-94 Contract Short Rifle O ther historians agree that Lewis would have taken fifteen of the contract rifles but believe that Lewis ordered modifications. Clarke added in his entry the additional comment that the guns were Complete in every respect. It is interesting to note that those guns were marked with a U.S. on the top flat of the barrel and carry a P and C inspector mark. Lewis was also no stranger to the use of rifles. Both men made sure that all short rifles would be readily available, being the most effective means of defending themselves should they be attacked. US Contract Rifles 1792 & 1807 1800 US Short Rifle (Lewis and Clark Rifle) (935) 1803 - 1819 Harpers Ferry Rifles (500 A) (500 B) (500 C) History, Facts and Descriptions of 1803 Harpers Ferry Rifles 1814 Common Rifle (516 A) 1817 Common Rifle (516 B) US Common Rifle Cleaning Set (537) An 1810 inventory lists 3,113 short rifles and 188 long rifles fit for service on hand at Harpers Ferry. cit., Vol 1, pg. (35), Many of the later 1807 contract rifles, using the same style 38 half round, half octagon barrel, also burst during proofing with 8 out of 18 barrels bursting under a proof test of 3/4 oz. It is also possible that contract rifles of 1794 were modified at the arsenal at Harper's Ferry, by shortening the barrels and reboring and rerifling them to .54 caliber. Our first Handbook for Riflemen, by William Duane, 1812. Lewis quietly went about gathering his supplies for his small party of men so as not to expose the real size of the expedition about 30 men, all under Army authority and pay.(6). Shooting a copy of this rifle has proven this correct, giving well over 30 shots between cleaning. Harpers Ferry was quite capable of building his 15 short rifles between March and July of 1803, as well as completing a substantial number of military contract rifles in the same year. The butt end of the ramrod should be concaved suited to the shape of the Ball the locks should be light and well executed the mounting should be brass there should be at least two thousand of these rifles made. This combination allows the .520 calibre ball to be loaded with ease (as described in Dearborns letter) even when the steel rod gets slippery from use. Barrel profiles were round at the breech for all 1803 dated rifles. 36) Thus two reasons can be found in documents for the lengthening of the short rifle barrel but since it was not implemented until 1815, we believe, as stated previous, the desire to use DuPont rifle powder(FFFg) was more of an influence on the decision than any other reason. This has been a consistent error found in ALL gun books and writings relating to this weapon. 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. . As for the change to a solid rib while making the barrels of our guns with hollow rib, we had one release from the gun while mounting the sight, so we know why they changed to a solid rib to strengthen the rib bond with a larger (stronger) adhering surface. The results were undeniable the bore has a 1 in 56 twist with .530 lands and .15 deep grooves. Not only was it the first military rifle produced at a government arsenal, but also the first U.S. military weapon to use extra fine double strength powder that stretched firearms technology to the limits of its day. It is important to note that all parts carry the same batch number which means the gun is a 100% correct assembly from the arsenal. A reduced charge is more accurate, and it saves valuable powder. 3. Although crude woodcuts of the period, they are of interest in the fact that they seem to be purposely depicting the short barrels of the M1800 rifle.(49). The stock reinforcing band would have been added and the rear sight filed down to the barleycorn style but retaining the buckhorn lower sight profile. We can learn a lot about our early riflemen from this manual. After being given to states when obsolete, many were converted to percussion. As stated early in this article, one of his short rifles survived. For all powder charges, the following instructions were given Some hold that a quantity of powder equal to three times the full of the mould in which the ball is cast, is the proper charge; others four times the full of the mould; on this plan a ball of twenty to the pound would be fired with nearly a fourth the weight of the ball. Lewiss careful preparation for the journey was incredible. Trade guns, with their octagon breech and round barrels were prone to burst at the muzzle if overcharged. 25. One only needs to read the many books giving weapons production figures to see that no two authors, using a variety of records, seem to totally agree. The lowest SN of an 1804 dated military rifle was 909 (confirmed) and the highest 1,520 (unconfirmed). List of individual weapons of the U.S. Armed Forces, "Papers of the War Department, Authorization to Contract with Manufacturer for Rifles", "Corps of Discovery Rifles of the Expedition". This leads to the conclusion that the arsenal had Napoleon reestablished peace with us in 1799. If the barrel of a .405 Winchester became plugged with mud or snow, the chances are it would suffer the same catastrophic fate as the 1800 rifles, despite the vast improvements in barrel material. It is quite possible a 1 in 15 chance. Heating the brazing to change the pipe would have caused the solder (which melts at a lower temperature) to release the rib from the barrel. We can choose to cling to the past but to do so is an injustice to historians and collectors who want the truth. these 1803 rifles was finished. There are some other detail pictures in Appendix I. I had no detail photos of the stock itself which is the purpose of this photo. The first rifles made at Harpers Ferry reflect the popular American design of the Pennsylvania and Kentucky rifles. To farther test our findings, we also made a go no go gauge of .532 calibre (which would easily fit any .54 caliber rifle) and found that it would not enter the rifled bore (even if worn slightly) of any short rifles made from 1803 to 1819. Caliber was .54 . 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. This new rifle would also use the same SDS powder that the British adopted for their series of rifles shipped over for use in the American Revolution.(3). One trick of a frontiersman used to find his maximum load was to shoot his rifle over a snowbank and then check for unburned grains of powder. With such confusing instructions, the wide range of gunsmiths making the rifles assured inconsistencies especially when the changes were requested while guns were already in production. These former members of the Expedition started the mountain man tradition to follow. Henry Rifle Lee Repeating Rifle Marlin Lever Actions Military Longarms Pre-1816 Muskets 1st Model Brown Bess 2nd & 3rd Model Brown Bess Muskets Charleville Musket M1803 and M1814 Rifles M1816 Musket M1817 Common Rifle M1835 US Musket Austrian CW Rifle M1841 US Rifle (Mississippi Rifle) M1842 Springfield Musket M1851 US Cadet and M1847 US Musketoon 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. Colter spent one winter (1806-1807) with Forest Hancock and Joseph Dickson, who, having followed Lewis west in 1804, were at the Mandan village when Lewis returned in 1806. [2] What distinguishes them from civilian rifles is that they were bought by the government under military contract. The front sight is also of German silver instead of the normal brass found on subsequent guns. Article by Edward R. Flanagan discussing the 1792 and 1807 contract rifles. Also, of interest on the gunpowder side of the short rifle story is that in 1815 Chief of Ordnance Colonel Wadsworth recommended the barrel of the Model 1803 rifle lengthened to 36 inches in order to more effectively burn the service charge of 100 grains. Due to the lateness of the shipment these guns may have carried an inspector mark. Riflemen were given great latitude in the loading and firing of their assigned weapon. The ball size (calibre) used in ALL of the short rifle series is .520. distn 220 yards. Even ramrods were marked somewhere along its length. See the special Chapter VIII for more information on these contract rifles. Eleven different gunsmiths took the contract on, delivering 1,476 rifles between April 1792 and December 1792. It also has a button release for the patch-box (as specified in the contract) under the toe plate where it might not get accidentally bumped), scant incised carving andmoderately engraved brass. (Jackson, op. It is not impossible to believe that Lewis proposed these changes to Dearborn since the inletting appears to be old, especially after having the rifles in his hands for many months. One could say that he had overstocked on this commodity, but it shows the importance he placed upon having a quantity of the correct powder for his rifles. This basic fact completely rules out the use 1792 rifles on the expedition. From our experience and with the list above, we know that 1803 production may be as high as 567 (unconfirmed). He was 38 years old (believed to have been born in 1774) and experienced a life that is excelled by few. It meant that one person used a pattern piece of some sort to make them interchangeable. Perkins was known as an expert lock filer and may have done them personally. (51) John Colter returned to the West as a mountain man. Whelan seems to be associated with Schuylkill arsenal where some of the 1792/4 contract guns were sent. (24) Gary E. Moulton, ed., The Journals of Lewis & Clark Expedition, 13 volumes (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1988-2001), Vol 6, Pg. Above is a 10-shot group at 65 yards with Rifle SN 1, using 65 grains of SDS powder, 6 bulls-eye. All these early 1803 rifles have had the other two December 1803 changes applied flat sight and the stock ferrule. There was another good reason to increase the size of the party in secret. It became very clear to me (as it would be to anyone who read them) that they carried a short rifle made at Harpers Ferry with interchangeable locks which Lewis himself picked up at the arsenal so I got involved in the M1792 vs. M1803 controversy. The barrel was not protected by a wood stock (soft iron barrels were easily bent by soldiers misuse) and it did not mount a bayonet or carry a sling which became important for the mounted infantry concept. At Harpers Ferry, Captain Meriwether Lewis obtained 15 rifles built under contract for the United States Army in 1792 and 1794. Of interest also are two of the six woodcuts (shown below, pages 95 and 267) that appeared in the 1811 edition of Sgt. Pryor & Drewyer were both out of order. His apparent diligence in gun matters won him a position of supervisor of New London Arsenal in 1792. Between March and May of 1803, based upon his convincing proof, Dearborn made the important decision that the newly designed Model 1800 short rifle being built for Lewiss expedition was also perfect for the U.S. Armys needs. In the February 4th letter the tumbler on the lock was to have a fly (to keep it from catching on the half cock) and a 4-piece patch box with button release. Many historians believe that Lewis and Clark traveled west with these . After Lewis departed Harpers Ferry in July of 1803 with his 15 Model 1800 rifles, the arsenal began tooling up for full production of the military version. The butt plate is of two-piece construction indicating hand fabrication before a mold was made to cast them for full military rifle production. In battle, they often provided advance skirmish support and as individual sharpshooters, inflicted casualties at long range upon opposing enemy officers. The first set were Liege gauges, the second was a set of 50 workshop bore gauges (all based upon balls per pound). The disassembly of these rifles and examination of the assembly numbers, viz. In 1807-1808, Colter explored over 500 miles of new country with only a rifle and a 30-pound pack, including the wonders of Yellowstone Park. Pipes were hard soldered to the rib before assembly so they would not release from the rib during the barrel mounting process. We have taken much of this material from that book. Much conjecture has also surrounded the possibility of slings being attached to Lewiss rifles. It gets somewhat easier when we recognize that the 18th century British military establishment used only THREE calibre balls Musket (approximately .693/14 balls to the pound), Carbine (approximately .650/17 balls to the pound), and Pistol (approximately .610/21 balls to the pound). 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. 567. Lewiss task was to explore and map this region as well as collect unknown flora and fauna. Lewis and Clark maintained a detailed journal of western geography, Any student of early military firearms of this period of history needs his two-volume set in their library. You will note from our list the lock dates on some guns do not fit into serial number ranges indicating a replaced lock. The 10 & Pg. In 1792, Congress authorized the building of two national arsenals for the storage of arms and, in 1794, provided funds for the building of two armories for the manufacture of small arms.

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