New England Holster Pistol
- Description
- Physical Description:
- This .51 caliber smoothbore flintlock holster pistol was made in New England around 1815. It has brass furniture including a brass barrel. It is pin fastened with a Ketland lock. The lock has floral engraving and a gooseneck hammer. It is a “sleigh” design lockplate. The iron tang has a spear point filial. The stock is cherry wood with a beaver tail carving around the tang and brass nose cap.
- It is stamped “KETLAND” and “L” on the inside of the lockplate.
- History:
- It is impossible to identify a maker. The engravings and bluing were used by lockmakers in England in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, these engravings also can be found on some American pistols.
- 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. 250.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- date made
- ca 1815
- maker
- unknown
- place made
- United States: New England
- Physical Description
- metal (part material)
- wood (part material)
- Measurements
- overall: 13 1/4 in; 33.655 cm
- overall: 13 1/4 in x 5 3/4 in x 2 in; 33.655 cm x 14.605 cm x 5.08 cm
- ID Number
- 1987.0014.20
- accession number
- 1987.0014
- catalog number
- 1987.0014.20
- collector/donor number
- P-141
- Credit Line
- The Adriana and Edwin W. Bitter Family Collection
- See more items in
- Armed Forces History: Armed Forces History, Military
- Military
- The Bitter Collection of Firearms
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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