This .50 caliber smoothbore flintlock Kentucky style pistol is attributed to John Shuler of Liverpool, Pennsylvania. This pistol has an octagonal barrel with an iron front sight. It is pin fastened with a curly maple stock and a brass barrel band on the forend. It has brass furniture including a brass lockplate and flash pan. The wooden ramrod has a brass tip. The trigger guard has an arrowhead filial and the silver escutcheon plate is engraved “AST.”
History:
This particular pistol is a mystery. It is attributed to John Shuler of Liverpool, Pennsylvania. While it is similar to Shuler pistols in appearance, there are many differences that set it apart.
First, it differs because it lacks the “SHULER” stamp on the barrel. This pistol also has a brass lockplate which is not common for a Shuler pistol. Finally, the engraving on the silver escutcheon plate is not found on Shuler pistols.
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. 176.
Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 236.