Holster Pistol
Holster Pistol
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- Description
- Physical Description:
- This.52 caliber smoothbore flintlock holster pistol has the appearance of a Halbach and Sons officer’s pistol. The barrel is part octagonal and the pistol has all brass mountings including a brass butt cap with an embossed eagle and shield. It has a full walnut stock and wooden ramrod with a swelled tip. There is an additional sunburst and acorn filial on the trigger guard.
- The pistol bears no markings other than “L Paul” stamped into the wooden grips.
- History:
- This pistol bears a striking resemblance to a Halbach and Son’s Holster Pistol. Halbach and Sons originated in Baltimore, Maryland around 1780. They were famous for producing brass cannon muzzle style barrels and brass mountings. A Halbach and Sons pistol can also be identified by the brass butt cap depicting an American spread eagle surrounded by 13 stars and a raised carving around the tang; the lockplate would be stamped “Halbach & Sons.”
- This pistol has many of those traits. It has the identical butt cap, brass barrel and overall appearance as a Halbach and Sons pistol. However the addition design is not near the tang, it is on the trigger guard. This pistol is also not stamped on the lockplate.
- The stamp “L. Paul” on the grips most likely signifies the officer who owned the pistol.
- 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. 82.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- pistol
- pistol, flintlock
- Other Terms
- pistol; Firearms; Army; Flintlock;.52 In; Smooth Bore; Muzzle Load; Sa
- date made
- ca 1790
- associated person
- Paul, L
- maker
- Halbach & Sons
- place made
- United States: Maryland
- Physical Description
- metal (part material)
- wood (part material)
- Measurements
- overall: 12 5/8 in; 32.0675 cm
- overall: 12 3/8 in x 5 in x 1 7/8 in; 31.4325 cm x 12.7 cm x 4.7625 cm
- ID Number
- 1985.0783.12
- accession number
- 1985.0783
- catalog number
- 1985.0783.12
- Credit Line
- The Adriana and Edwin W. Bitter Family Collection
- See more items in
- Political and Military History: Armed Forces History, Military
- Military
- The Bitter Collection of Firearms
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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