Model 1842 Pistol

Description:

Physical Description:

This .54 caliber smoothbore, percussion lock pistol was made by the Palmetto Armory of Columbia, South Carolina around 1853. This pistol is brass mounted with a black walnut stock and an iron swivel type ramrod.

The lockplate is stamped “COLUMBIA/S.C. 1853” at the rear and is stamped “PALMETTO ARMORY S*C*” in a circle around a palmetto tree under the flashpan. The left side of the barrel near the breech is stamped “WM GLAZE & CO”.

History:

The Palmetto Armory was established in 1852 by Columbia silversmith and jeweler, William Glaze and his associate Benjamin Flag. They purchased their equipment from Asa Waters of Milbury, Massachusetts. This armory initially retained its original name, the Palmetto Iron Works, which was famous for making tools, barrels and cotton gins. In 1851 the state of South Carolina contracted this company to produce arms for the South Carolina militia in preparation for a potential war.

In addition to muskets and rifles, the Palmetto Armory produced 2,000 Model 1842 Palmetto Percussion Pistols for this contract between the years 1852 and 1853. These pistols were among the first to be issued to Confederate Troops during the Civil War. By 1860, any of the additional pistols that had not been sold to the federal government were sold to the state government. The factory was destroyed by General Sherman’s troops during the Civil War in February 1865.

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, 145.

Date Made: 1853Associated Date: 1841

Maker: Palmetto Armory

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: South Carolina, Columbia

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: 1982.0785.17Accession Number: 1982.0785Catalog Number: 1982.0785.17Collector/Donor Number: P59D

Object Name: pistolpistol, percussionOther Terms: pistol; Firearms; Flintlock; .54 In; Smooth Bore; Muzzle Load; Sa

Physical Description: iron (part material)brass (part material)wood (part material)Measurements: overall: 14 1/4 in; 36.195 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-dbc8-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_438603

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