PennsylvaniaKentucky Pistol
- Description
- Physical Description:
- This .54 caliber smoothbore “Kentucky” pistol was assembled by Melchior Fordney. The stock is curly maple, stained with a piano finish. The curved grip has a brass butt cap with a rear extension towards the tang. The brass trigger guard has an English acorn finial with a French front bar. It has two brass ramrod thimbles with two brass side plates.
- It is stamped “C.Arb” on the barrel. “J/Holland” is stamped on the lock. There is a stamp of “IB” possibly for J. Bonewitz.
- History:
- Melchior Fordney made pistols and rifles in Lancaster, Pennsylvania from 1807 to 1843. He was famous for his Kentucky rifles. His life and career were cut short in 1843 when he was killed with an ax by a Baptist Preacher named John Haggerty. Apparently, Haggerty he did not approve of the fact that Fordney lived with a woman outside of wedlock.
- Fordney’s work often had very elaborate detailing and was made one at a time when he was not contracted by the government. This pistol, because of its large size and lack of “C” stamp, is believed to be one of the later pistols of Fordney’s work.
- References:
- Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms…and their Values, Gun Digest Books, Iola, 2007. 9th edition
- Gardner, Robert E. Col. Small Arms Makers: A Directory of Fabricators of Firearms, Edged Weapons, Crossbows and Polearms, Crown Publishers Inc, New York: 1963, p. 66
- Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 308.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1815
- maker
- Fordney, Melchior
- place made
- United States: Pennsylvania, Lancaster
- associated place
- United States: Kentucky
- Physical Description
- metal (part material)
- wood (part material)
- Measurements
- overall: 15 3/4 in; 40.005 cm
- overall: 15 3/4 in x 6 5/16 in x 2 in; 40.005 cm x 16.0655 cm x 5.08 cm
- ID Number
- 1986.0024.16
- accession number
- 1986.0024
- catalog number
- 1986.0024.16
- collector/donor number
- P88L
- Credit Line
- The Adriana and Edwin W. Bitter Family Collection
- See more items in
- Armed Forces History: Armed Forces History, Military
- Industry & Manufacturing
- The Bitter Collection of Firearms
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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