Holster Pistol

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.

Date Made: ca 1790

Associated Person: Paul, LMaker: Halbach & Sons

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United States: Maryland

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: 1985.0783.12Accession Number: 1985.0783Catalog Number: 1985.0783.12

Object Name: pistolpistol, flintlockOther Terms: pistol; Firearms; Army; Flintlock; .52 In; Smooth Bore; Muzzle Load; Sa

Physical Description: metal (part material)wood (part material)Measurements: overall: 12 5/8 in; 32.0675 cmoverall: 12 3/8 in x 5 in x 1 7/8 in; 31.4325 cm x 12.7 cm x 4.7625 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a2-647f-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_438543

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