Summary
The U.S. M1814 rifle was designed by Robert T. Wickham. The manufacturing was contracted out to Henry Deringer and R. Johnson to make rifles for use by the military.
| United States M1814 rifle | |
|---|---|
 ,  A percussion converted R. Johnson made US Model 1814 rifle. | |
| Type | Muzzle-loading rifle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | United States |
| Wars | Seminole Wars, American Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Marine T. Wickham |
| Designed | 1814 |
| Manufacturer | Gunsmiths Henry Deringer, R. Johnson |
| Produced | 1814–? |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 49 in (1,200 mm) |
| Barrel length | 33 in (840 mm) |
| Width | 2.75 in (70 mm) |
| Height | 7 in (180 mm) |
| Cartridge | .54 ball, black powder, paper |
| Caliber | 0.54 in (14 mm) |
| Action | Flintlock/percussion lock (conversion) |
| Rate of fire | 2–3 per minute |
| Feed system | Muzzle-loaded |
Types edit
- Wickham type
This was the U.S. M1814 rifle designed by Robert T. Wickham.[1] Two manufacturers made this type, Henry Deringer of Philadelphia and R. Johnston of Connecticut.[1] Wickham sent the pattern to Deringer with a contract for 1000 rifles. One of Deringer's rifles was then sent to R. Johnson to be duplicated, with a contract for 1000 more. It was mounted with iron and had an oval patch box. It had a 33-inch barrel, octagon near the flintlock, turning to round, and using a .54 caliber bullet.[1]
- Pre-production rifle
Not the M1814, but a rifle of Deringer's design. It was closer to a Pennsylvania–Kentucky style rifle than a military styled rifle.[2] Deringer began making these rifles for the army before winning the 1814 contract making 51 rifles that were accepted for military service.[2] One example of these rifles survives today.[2] Unlike the Wickam type, the pre-production model was not iron mounted.[2] The rifle is full stocked, with a 38-inch barrel that is octagon near the flintlock and becomes round about a third of the way down the barrel. It had a long-rectangular bronze patch box mounted in the buttstock.[2]
- Indian rifle
A smoothbore version was also under contract with the government as a trade rifle, for sales to the Native Americans. The government wanted approximations of long rifles, but did not want them to have rifled weapons.[3]
Use during the American Civil War edit
The rifles saw use during the American Civil War. Company A of the 2nd Mississippi Infantry carried these rifles, converted to percussion cap.[4]
See also edit
- Harpers Ferry M1803
- 1792 contract rifle for the earlier process for producing firearms
- M1817 common rifle
- Rifles in the American Civil War
References edit
- ^ a b c The American rifle shop, Inc. "1814 common rifle (516 A)". Retrieved 2011-12-19.
- ^ a b c d e Professor Charles W. Thayer, Emeritus. "Thayer Americana, Deringer's FIRST US military rifle". Retrieved 2011-12-19.
- ^ Dr. William L. Roberts, THE AMERICAN LIBERTY COLLECTION; #34. "NRA National Firearms Museum, U.S. Henry Deringer Model 1814 Common Rifle". Retrieved 2011-12-19.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Dave Hunter. "Notes on the weapons and accouterments, Company A, 2nd Mississippi Infantry". Retrieved 2011-12-19.