1817 Common Rifle - Vol. V, Episode 20

In this episode, we learn about the 1817 Common Rifle. This weapon was still seeing use during the Civil War with Confederate units and others such as the 1st California Calvary. You will learn why it has the name Common plus get to see two original Common Rifles! One is still a flintlock and the other has been converted to use percussion caps. Thank you to Jason Krausz and the rest of the team at Agents Campbell and Pelican’s Military Goods for bringing us this history to share.
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[@chirstopherjones2520]

The 1817 common rifle was used in the Second Seminole War, and in the U.S./Mexican War as well as the Civil War. It is believed that the men in the battle of the Alamo had some as well

[@Jake_Steiner]

That's right, the New Orleans Greys used them.

[@kirkland_cooper96]

I love this video, it gave plenty of information about how these rifles were converted from flintlocks to percussion caps, this is something i needed in order to accurately describe some of the rifles in a book i am writing. Thank you gentlemen! Ps- i wonder just how many civilians in the years leading up to the civil war had these rifles in their possession.

[@leondillon8723]

0:56)Henry DERINGER, Senior & Junior.

[@BocageTiger]

Outstanding episode!

[@russmiller4801]

'Trapdoor' The same percussion and flintlock rifles were modified by cutting the breech and installing a locking block which closed behind a metallic cartridge set inside a chamber. The existing 54 caliber bore may have simply been polished to accomodate the straight wall cartridge casing for the .45-70. This simple open and closed breech was known as the Springfield 'Trapdoor'. The first metallic cartridges (i.e. 45-70 GOVT or ? 45 1/2 inch) 44-40, for the Spencer repeating rifles issued to the Union soldiers and the infamous 'Sharps' rifle chambered in 45-70, 50-90 and 50-100. These rifles were used by marksman for long distance shots. However, one must be aware that muzzle loading rifles of the Era, (i.e. Kentucky, Tennessee and Pennsylvania long barrel 45 - 54 caliber) manufactured domestically were capable of kill shots at distances of over 500 yards and have done so. Bores were not smooth, but cut rifled. The purpose of smooth bore guns was volume of fire by dropping a ball down a loose bore without a patch to grip the rifling. The conical shaped 'miniball'; first modern bullet, was afforded better accuracy in smooth bore guns due to a hollow base which expanded against the bore with a tight seal, similar to a traditional shotgun slug.

[@JaceBell]

Wood and steel is for real. Nice stuff.

[@wesleyfilms7342]

Excellent video

[@Tomatohater64]

Very interesting. I had no idea these even existed.

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

Mission accomplished, in a small way! Will

[@jesseusgrantcanales]

@@CivilWarDigitalDigest Not sure it was asked but could you sometime post the music you play in your clips from the 125th Ohio?

[@smokeytokyo4553]

Any chance on getting a video on the use of the 1795 Springfield or some of the brown bess muskets they found in Richmond after the city surrendered

[@CivilWarDigitalDigest]

We will put it on the list. Thanks for the suggestion. Will

[@smokeytokyo4553]

@@CivilWarDigitalDigest thank you very much will I am looking forward to seeing the video or videos

[@Jubilo1]

Thing Two- the hell you say!!

[@GrangerGangster]

I had never known that weapon even existed! Since it’s M1817, did it see service with Regulars in any of the Indian Wars conflicts in the 1820s or 30s like the Seminole War? Or was it used at all in the Mexican War? I guess my main question is really did the Army have a role in mind for a rifle’s use in an infantry regiment alongside muskets or did it develop one after this weapon’s production that this rifle actually filled from a tactical standpoint? 30-some thousand seems like a lot to not have a specific tactical purpose.

[@williamcarter1993]

used in the seminole and civil war

[@Jake_Steiner]

The New Orleans Greys used them at the Alamo.

[@annamalin123]

Finally a Pennsylvania made gun