The U.S. Harpers Ferry Armory and contractor Simeon North of Middletown Connecticut manufactured Hall's patent breechloading long arms for the US military. These single-shot arms has a breechblock hinged at the rear that raised at the front for loading, and were a significant advance as the first breech-loading firearms issued by the US military. Harpers Ferry made flintlock rifle versions ca. 1817-1840 and percussion rifle and carbine models 1841-1843. North produced flintlock rifles 1830-1836 and percussion carbines 1834-1853. .52 caliber was most common, with some variations in .58 and .60 caliber. Rifle barrels were 52 5/8 inches and carbine barrels 21 to 26 inches. Most but not all carbine variations are smoothbore. Models and variations include:
HARPERS FERRY:
* 1819 Flintlock Rifle in 1st, 2nd & 3rd Types.
* 1841 Flintlock Rifle
* 1836 Percussion Carbine
* 1842 Percussion Carbine
SIMEON NORTH
* 1819 Contract Flintlock Rifle
* 1833 Percussion Carbine in .58 and .52 caliber versions.
* 1840 Percussion Carbine in 1st & 2nd Types
* 1842 Percussion Carbine
* 1843 Percussion Carbine in .52 cal. smoothbore with some converted to .58 cal. rifled.
Some of the early flintlock rifles by both makers were converted to percussion. Most of these models and variations will bring similar values, shown below. Rifles by either maker that were originally flintlock, but have been converted by the government to percussion, will bring less - about half the values shown. There are four rare variations that will bring a premium, sometimes double or more the values listed. These include:
* Harpers Ferry 1819 Flintlock 1st Type dated 1824.
* Harpers Ferry 1842 Carbine
* North 1833 Carbines in rare .58 cal.
* North 1840 Carbines, Type I, with angular L shaped breech lever.