Thomas French 1814 Contract Pistol, Navy

Description:

Physical Description:

This .69 caliber smoothbore flintlock Navy Pistol was made by Thomas French of Canton, Massachusetts between 1812 and 1814. The pistol is pin fastened with a walnut stock and has a wooden ramrod with a swelled tip. Its brass mountings include a brass butt cap. The unmarked barrel and belt hook are iron. The pistol is a bag grip.

“T. FRENCH” is stamped at the rear of the lockplate and an eagle over “US” is stamped under the flash pan. A horizontal “V” is stamped on the left side of the stock to the rear of the brass sideplate.

History:

In 1808, Thomas French and two other men received a contract to produce 4,000 Model 1808 muskets. By March 4, 1818, the Committee of Claims declared the contract had been fulfilled. During this time, French was also manufacturing pistols. Because of an inspector in Boston, French’s arms had to be “superior weapons” no matter the cost. The Committee of Claims ultimately issued a voucher to French for the additional cost in the production of these firearms.

The Model 1814 French Navy Pistol was manufactured for the U.S. Navy and American privateer merchant fleets in Massachusetts. It bares the same marks as the Model 1808 Muskets that were issued by the government, so it is likely they were used by the U.S. Navy during the War of 1812.

References:

Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 262.

Gardner, Robert E. Col. Small Arms Makers: A Directory of Fabricators of Firearms, Edged Weapons, Crossbows and Polearms, Crown Publishers Inc, New York: 1963, 69.

Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms…and their Values, Gun Digest Books, Iola, 2007. 9th edition.

Physical Description:

This .69 caliber smoothbore flintlock Navy Pistol was made by Thomas French of Canton, Massachusetts between 1812 and 1814. The pistol is pin fastened with a walnut stock and has a wooden ramrod with a swelled tip. Its brass mountings include a brass butt cap. The unmarked barrel and belt hook are iron. The pistol is a bag grip.

“T. FRENCH” is stamped at the rear of the lockplate and an eagle over “US” is stamped under the flash pan. A horizontal “V” is stamped on the left side of the stock to the rear of the brass sideplate.

History:

In 1808, Thomas French and two other men received a contract to produce 4,000 Model 1808 muskets. By March 4, 1818, the Committee of Claims declared the contract had been fulfilled. During this time, French was also manufacturing pistols. Because of an inspector in Boston, French’s arms had to be “superior weapons” no matter the cost. The Committee of Claims ultimately issued a voucher to French for the additional cost in the production of these firearms.

The Model 1814 French Navy Pistol was manufactured for the U.S. Navy and American privateer merchant fleets in Massachusetts. It bares the same marks as the Model 1808 Muskets that were issued by the government, so it is likely they were used by the U.S. Navy during the War of 1812.

References:

Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 262.

Gardner, Robert E. Col. Small Arms Makers: A Directory of Fabricators of Firearms, Edged Weapons, Crossbows and Polearms, Crown Publishers Inc, New York: 1963, 69.

Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms…and their Values, Gun Digest Books, Iola, 2007. 9th edition.

Date Made: ca 1814

Maker: French, Thomas

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: Massachusetts, Canton

See more items in: Political and Military History: Armed Forces History, Military, Military, The Bitter Collection of Firearms

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: The Adriana and Edwin W. Bitter Family Collection

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1982.0785.13Accession Number: 1982.0785Catalog Number: 1982.0785.13Collector/Donor Number: P44D

Object Name: pistolpistol, flintlockOther Terms: pistol; Firearms; Navy; Flintlock; .69 In; Smooth Bore; Muzzle Load; Sa

Physical Description: iron (part material)brass (part material)wood (part material)Measurements: overall: 16 in; 40.64 cmoverall: 2 3/8 in x 16 1/8 in x 6 1/4 in; 6.0325 cm x 40.9575 cm x 15.875 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a2-6296-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_438508

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