Model 1807/1808 Navy Pistol

Description:

Physical Description:

This .54 caliber smoothbore flintlock Navy Pistol was made for the U.S. government by an unknown maker around 1807. The barrel is pin fastened and it has an iron belt hook on the sideplate, brass mountings, and a wooden ramrod.

The lockplate is stamped “DREPERT” and has a federal “US” stamp at the rear. There is also a raised “P” stamped in the oval proofmark.

History:

Although the maker of this pistol is unknown, its lock is stamped “DREPERT” and the hammer is marked “US.”

The pistol probably was made under U.S. contract. The belt hook on the pistol signifies that it is a ship’s pistol. Several other traits denote the pistol’s Navy usage. The “US” stamp on the lockplate also represents a U.S. contract. It is most likely that Drepert was commissioned to make this type of pistol for the Navy.

References:

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

Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p.212

Date Made: ca 1808

Maker: Guest, John

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States

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: 1982.0785.25Accession Number: 1982.0785Catalog Number: 1982.0785.25Collector/Donor Number: P150D

Object Name: pistolpistol, flintlockOther Terms: pistol; Firearms; Navy; Flintlock; .56 In; Smooth Bore; Muzzle Load; Sa

Physical Description: iron (part material)brass (part material)wood (part material)Measurements: overall: 16 1/4 in; 41.275 cmoverall: 2 1/8 in x 16 1/2 in x 6 in; 5.3975 cm x 41.91 cm x 15.24 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a2-6299-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_438515

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