Scarce US Model 1817 Common Rifle by Deringer (Reconversion to Flint)

NSN, .58 Caliber, 35 3/4" smoothbore barrel with good, lightly pitted bore. This is a handsome rifle that has a partially legible, 1821-dated "US / H. (DERI)NGER / (PHIL)ADA" lock marking, with a matching 1821 date on the barrel tang. The cock, pan, and frizzen were added when the gun was reconverted back to percussion at some point post Civil War. The barrel retains much of an added browned finish with gray fading at the muzzle, and scattered areas of pinprick pitting in spots. The vent is very crisp, and has a series of small peen marks deliberately added to the metal surrounding it. The barrel itself is smoothbore for most of its length, however a short 2 1/4" section at the muzzle was counter-bored and a rifled sleeve was threaded into place, giving the appearance of an unmodified barrel under cursory inspection. The walnut stock has numerous small handling marks and blemishes scattered throughout the added varnish finish, including a series of large bruises on the left side of the buttstock, and the "V / GF" inspector mark of George Flegel (foreman at Schuykill Arsenal) is still clearly legible on the left side opposite the lock. The large patchbox door also has some chips missing around the spring catch, and a correct brass-tipped ramrod is included. This is a handsome reconverted "Common Rifle", and would make a great looking display piece in a gunroom, or library. Antique