Overall length 51.25"; barrel length 36"; caliber .54. Markings: on lockplate, "US/H. DERINGER/PHILADA" forward of cock, date on tail; standard U.S. proofmarks on barrel. U.S. M1817 "common" rifle followed much the same design elements as its predecessor, U.S. M1814 rifle; however, barrel is fully round, with its bands secured by full band springs and on earlier production, finger ridges on triggerguard strap were eliminated in favor of a plain strap formed into a hand-grip. On the 6,000 rifles manufactured under his 1840 contract, Deringer eliminated the "pistol-grip" in favor of a plain strap, distinguishing Type II production from Type I. As one of four major contractors for the U.S. M1817 rifle, Deringer produced a total of 111,000 rifles for the U.S. War Department. Many of the rifles from the first two contracts (2,000 in 1821, 3,000 in 1823) were distributed to Southern states under the 1808 Militia Act. Accordingly, Deringer M1817 rifles altered to percussion by traditional Southern methods may generate a premium.