This .36 caliber rifled breech-loading single shot percussion pistol was made by C. Sharps & Co. It has a dropping block lever activated action, and two piece wooden grips. The mountings are iron.
Under the hammer is stamped “C. SHARPS & COS/GUN WORLD/PHILA PA”. On the opposite side is the stamp “C. SHARPS/PATENT/1840-1852”.
History:
Christian Sharps created his company in 1858 on the Wire Bridge in Fairmount, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During the Civil War, C. Sharps & Co. produced 80, 512 pistols and rifles for the U.S. Government. The company was changed in 1863 to Sharps & Hankins but remained at the same address and was still listed in the 1875 directory as C. Sharps & Co. This company was made famous for their self priming pistols and rifles.
850 of this type of pistol were created between 1854 and 1857. It is based on the Model 1848 Sharps Pistol. The lever activated action is basically the same as on a carbine or a rifle. Only a limited number were made because there was not a market for this type of pistols when they were manufactured.
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. 174.
This .52 caliber rifled single shot breech loading percussion pistol was made by Perry Alonzo of Newark, New Jersey. It has a steel frame and barrel, trigger guard pivots, a breech block upward for loading and two piece wooden grips.
History:
Alonzo D. Perry formed his gun manufacturing company in Newark, New Jersey. In 1849, he received a patent for a faucet breech gun. In 1850, he needed to make a winged metal cartridge for his guns. In 1854 and 1855, Perry created breech loading firearms.
The U.S. Government purchased 200 of those breech loading guns on April 12, 1855. The most notable gun from that batch of 200 was the Model 1855 Navy. Perry’s breech loaders were so effective, that they were copied by other manufacturing companies. The Perry carbine is probably his best known firearm.
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. 149-150.
This .38 caliber rifled flintlock pistol was made by Thomas Earle of Leicester, Massachusetts. It is pin fastened with brass mountings. It has a light colored fruitwood stock with horn tipped forend and floral pattern carvings around the barrel tang.
A raised “TE” in a sunken oval is stamped on the left side of the barrel. The lockplate is stamped “T. EARL.”
History:
Thomas Earle was a prominent American gunsmith during the late 18th century. He was in business from 1770 through 1790. His factory was often frequented due to its location on the Great Post Road in between Boston and Philadelphia.
The appearance of this pistol is unusual for the time period. The butt cap has an English Cavalry appearance while the lock and trigger have a German influence. It is possible Earle studied his trade in Europe and England.
This pistol is also unique because it is the only known pistol signed by Earl. He was known to sign his long arms. There are four other fowling pieces and one fusil piece that bear his signature, but this example is the only 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. 57.
Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 62.
This .65 caliber smoothbore flintlock pistol was made by Asa Waters. It has a brass barrel pinned to a full stock. It is brass mounted with a swollen wooden ramrod. It has decorated furniture, and a grotesque engraving of a face in the buttplate.
The left side of the barrel is stamped “PRO” / “VED”. “SUTTON” is engraved on the top of the barrel and on the button is “VI”. The lockplate is stamped “WATERS”.
History:
Asa Waters was born in Sutton, Mass. He and his brother Andrus bought a factory in Singletary Creek in 1776. After two years in business, Andrus died. Asa continued the company and became known as a musket maker for the Council of Safety. He also served as a Lieutenant in the Lexington Alarm, an auxiliary militia group. In 1782, he moved the factory to Millbury, Mass. and named the company Asa Waters & Co. His company was succeeded by his two sons Asa H. and Elijah in 1814.
This particular pistol was produced by Asa Waters before his move to Millbury, Mass. It was most likely contracted for use during the Revolutionary War. The design of the pistol is copied from English 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. 203-204.
Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 28.
This .54 caliber smoothbore flintlock 2nd Model pistol was made by the Virginia Manufactory. It was modeled after the Harpers Ferry Model 1805. It has brass mountings, a walnut half stock and is wedge fastened. It has an iron rib under the barrel with a wooden ramrod with swelled tip.
It is stamped “VIRGINIA” and “RICHMOND/1812” on the lockplate. “P” is stamped inside the lockplate and so is “VIII” and “8”. The walnut stock is stamped “RI”.
History:
The Virginia Manufactory is also known as the Richmond Armory and the Virginia State Armory. It was established by the Act of 1797 to manufacture arms for the state militia. It was built along the James River and was initially in production from 1802 through 1820. The man who was in charge of the armory was James Haslett. He was formerly employed by McCormick. He was recommended for the job by Colonel John Shee, a surgeon from Philadelphia who served in the Third Pennsylvania Battalion. He wrote to the Governor of Virginia that they would “be enabled to engage Haslett…for the Richmond Armory.” The Armory reopened in 1860 for production during the Civil War.
It is a rare pistol type made with a hickory ramrod. Fewer than 300 wooden ramrods were made after 1812 because the iron swivel type was favored. There are cuts in the iron rib to make it easier to get the ramrod.
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. 200.
Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 242.
This .58 caliber smoothbore flintlock U.S. Model 1808 pistol was made by John Guest of Lancaster, Pa. The locks were made by Drepert, a sub-contractor. It is full pin fastened with a walnut stock, brass mountings, a wooden ramrod, and a reinforced double neck hammer.
The lockplate is stamped “DREPERT” under the flash pan and “US” by the rear. “J GUEST” is stamped in script on the top of the barrel by the breech.
History:
John Guest opened at factory at Lancaster Borough in Lancaster, Pa. He was in production from 1802-1809. He produced many rifles and Model 1807 pistols for contract. It is known that the lockmaker Drepert was his main contractor.
Guest’s pistols were ordered under U.S. government contract from Tench Coxe. Coxe was a controversial character during this time period. President Thomas Jefferson named him Purveyor of Public Supplies from 1803-1812. Before that however he was a loyalist to the British government.
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. 80.
Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 214.
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.
This .54 caliber U.S. Navy Elgin patent percussion cutlass pistol was made by C.B. Allen of Springfield, Massachusetts. It still has its original scabbard. It is a boxlock type frame with a five inch octagonal barrel. There is an 11” Bowie type blade underneath.
On the left side of the pistol, “C B ALLEN/SPRINGFIELD/MASS” is stamped. The barrel is stamped “ELGINS/PATENT”.
History:
C. B Allen was the other manufacturer besides Morrill, Mossman and Blair that created cutlass pistols because of the spreading popularity of the Bowie Knife.
James Bowie became a folk hero because of his reckless nature, contribution to the Texas Revolution and his death at the Alamo, but it was the Sandbar Fight in 1827 that made Bowie famous. After being shot and stabbed, Bowie killed Norris Wright, the Sheriff of Rapides Parish with a large knife that came to be known as the Bowie Knife.
The knife became legend and George Elgin patented the Bowie Knife on July 5, 1837. With this patent, Allen produced this type of pistol. It was the first percussion handgun officially used by the U.S. military and the only knife pistol used by an U.S. military service. There were only 150 produced on Navy Contract – some being used by the Wilkes-South Sea Expedition.
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. 2.
Texas State Historical Society. “Bowie, James,” The Texas State Historical Association. < www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbo45>.
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.
This .52 caliber smoothbore flintlock dueling pistol was made by Simeon North. It has a browned octagonal barrel with blued breech inlaid, gold bands and a cartouche. It has a silver and blued mounted, half-cock safety behind the hammer. This pistol also has an iron front sight and open back sight. It has a finely engraved trigger guard and barrel tang but the silver oval escutcheon behind the tang is not engraved. There are finely checkered grips and horn tipped stocks with a wooden ramrod and horn tip.
The only stamped engraving on the gun is on the lockplate. Under the flashpan is the stamp “S. North”.
History:
In 1804, duels were common practice in America. It was a way for men from all walks of life to defend their honor. The process begins when one man offends another. He then has an intermediary called a Second challenge the offender to a duel. If he accepts, the offender then chooses the weapon.
Because of the Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr Duel, the popular weapon of choice was a large caliber smoothbore pistol like Simeon North’s Model 1817. This gun was chosen for many reasons. Between the years 1750-1850, it was common for a man in America to own a pair of pistols similar to this type. Also the smoothbore makes the gun relatively inaccurate -- duels did not always result with a death.
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, 142.
Pbs.org. “History of Dueling in American,” The American Experience. .
Hussey, Jeannette. The Code Duello. National Portrait Gallery: Washington: 1980
This .54 caliber smoothbore flintlock Pistol was made by Henry Deringer in 1813. It has a pin fastened barrel, brass mountings, and a wooden ramrod with two ramrod pipes.
The batch number “3” is stamped inside the lockplate, in the inlet for the lock, bridle and frizzen. The barrel has “M” over a raised “P” in an oval and the stock is stamped “M” and “HM.”
History:
This type of pistol was manufactured by Henry Deringer. He opened his factory in Philadelphia in 1806 and would later become famous for his percussion pocket pistol. There is no federal contract information for Deringer pistols in 1813. It is reported however, to have been for a contract in 1807/1808 for the state of Maryland to make 510 pistols.
Batch numbers for Deringer pistols range from the number 1 to the number 61. Two pistols have the batch number “3”. Deringer delivered batch numbers 1-90 in one shipment. At a later date he shipped pistols with batch numbers 1-120 which accounts for the duplicate batch numbers on this particular pistol in addition to 89 other 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. 51.
Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 286.
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.
This .72 caliber smoothbore, flintlock U.S. Second Model 1799 pistol was made by North and Cheney. It has a brass frame trigger guard and buttcap, an iron backstrap, no forestock, a one piece walnut handle, and a steel ramrod with button head.
Under the brass frame, “NORTH & CHENEY BERLIN” is stamped. The barrel has a “P” on the left side and a “V” on the screw heads.
History:
Simeon North and his brother-in-law Elisha Cheney went into business for a short period of time. They produced around 2,000 Model 1799 Contract Pistols in two contracts – the first, delivering 500 and the second, 1500. It was the first official model adopted by the U.S. government.
This pistol was modeled after the Model 1777 French pistol. This pistol is from the Second contract. Archived correspondence between North and the War department in 1801 and 1802 that verify shipments of these North and Cheney pistols.
This particular pistol – numbered 311 – was part of the William M. Locke Collection and was sold to the Bitter Collection in 1973.
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. 142.
Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 130.
This .36 caliber Elgin patent percussion cutlass pistol with leather sheath was made by Morrill, Mossman, and Blair of Amherst, Massachusetts. This pistol is famous for its square black pointed trigger. The German Sheath is black and in good condition with silver at the throat and tip.
The pistol is stamped “CAST STEEL” on the barrel.
History:
Morrill, Mossman and Blair went into the business of manufacturing arms on April 1, 1836. They became well known for manufacturing knife pistols which were at high demand during the 1830’s because of the famed James Bowie.
James Bowie became a folk hero because of his reckless nature, contribution to the Texas Revolution and his death at the Alamo, but it was the Sandbar Fight in 1827 that made Bowie famous. After being shot and stabbed, Bowie killed Norris Wright, the Sheriff of Rapides Parish with a large knife that came to be known as the Bowie Knife.
The knife became legend and George Elgin patented the Bowie Knife on July 5, 1837. With this patent Morrill, Mossman and Blair created this type of pistol. This particular pistol is the larger version of the cutlass pistols produced by this company. Their success however was short lived when the company was dissolved in 1838.
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. 136.
Texas State Historical Society. “Bowie, James,” The Texas State Historical Association. < www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbo45>.
This .64 caliber smoothbore, flintlock Mode 1808 pistol was made by Simeon North. It was standard production for the U.S. Navy. This pistol is pin fastened with a full walnut stock and hickory ramrod with a swelled tip. It has brass mountings including a brass flashpan with fence lock. An iron backstrap extends from tang to butt cap. An iron belt hook is attached to the sideplate.
On the lockplate is an “eagle over U.STATES” stamp under the flashpan and a “S. NORTH/BERLIN/CON.” Stamp at the rear. Two internal “694” stamps are found both on the left side of the breech plug and in the stock under the backstrap.
History:
This type of pistol was created by Simeon North as the standard issue for the U.S. Navy used during the War of 1812. The pistols were manufactured in his first factory in Berlin, Connecticut. 3,000 of these Model 1808 Navy pistols were produced – 2,000 pistols in 1808 and another 1,000 in 1810. The production for these pistols set the standard for American manufacturing.
It is believed that North paired his pistols like the Harper’s Ferry Armory. In the records for North pistols, there are two pistols that share the same three digit serial number. The stamps are internal and difficult to locate, so this discovery was not made easily.
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, 142.
Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 138.
This .69 caliber smoothbore flintlock Light Dragoon Pistol was made in Bridgewater, Ma and used by a New England militia unit.
The lockplate is stamped “BRIDGWATER” and “US” under an eagle. It is stamped “21STL.DS” on the barrel. The left side of the stock has a “V” and “39”.
History:
The actual maker of this pistol is unknown. It is like many other Light Dragoons pistols from the time. Its weight is what signifies it as a dragoon and would have been used for a militia unit. The make though cannot be determined because the only identifying mark is the location “BRIDGWATER” and “21STL.DS”. These markings give a location and a militia unit, but there were many gun smiths in Bridgewater, Ma at the time this pistol would have been made.
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. 112.
This .56 caliber smoothbore flintlock U.S. Model 1805 pistol was made at Harpers Ferry. It is key fastened with a half stock. It has a brass reinforcing band and brass furniture. The round barrel with rib and ramrod ferrule is all iron.
The barrel is stamped “103” and “US” next to an eagle. The lockplate is stamped “HARPERS/FERRY/1806” and “US” under an eagle.
History:
Harper’s Ferry was named after Robert Harper – a mill owner – who purchased the land from Lord Fairfax in 1798. An Act of Congress on April 2, 1794 established the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry in Virginia. The site was personally inspected and chosen by George Washington. Harpers Ferry produced hundreds of thousands of pistols and firearms for government use between 1796 and 1861. On April 18, 186, Lt. Roger Jones – in charge of Harper’s Ferry at the time – burned the armory for fear of it falling into the hands of the Virginia militia.
Harper’s Ferry pistols always came in pairs and were often used as models by contractors and other armories in the United States. This particular pistol is very rare. It is stamped 1806. Despite over 300 Model 1805 pistols being manufactured at Harper’s Ferry, only 33 have been recorded to bear the 1806 stamp.
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. 84.
Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 178.
This .54 caliber smoothbore flintlock U.S. Model 1826 Navy pistol was made by Simeon North. It is iron mounted including an iron swivel type ramrod and a long steel belt hook. This pistol has a brass blade front sight and an oval sight near the tang. The brass flashpan has no fence and tilts upward on the lockplate. The pistol finish is browned but is almost completely gone.
“1828” is stamped at the rear of the lockplate. “U.S./S. North” is stamped under the flash pan. The barrel is stamped “US/ET”. Stamped into the stock by the side plate are the script letters “CJ” in a circle.
History:
Simeon North had a 53 year relationship with the U.S. War Department. The contract for the Model 1826 pistols was the last contract North had for martial pistols from the U.S. Government.
The North Model 1826 Navy Pistol is virtually a smaller version of the Model 1819 with a few slight alterations. It is most readily identifiable from the sharp angle of the grip that is not seen on Model 1819 pistols.
Most of these pistols were converted to percussion later in the 19th century. Finding this model of pistol as a flintlock is extremely rare.
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. 136.
This .66 caliber smoothbore flintlock pistol was made by William Whetcroft of Annapolis Maryland around 1776. It has a pin fastened walnut stock. This pistol has an S-shaped brass side plate, a brass thimble and trigger guard and no butt cap.
It is stamped “WW” in a sunken rectangle on the barrel and lockplate. The barrel is also stamped “MARYLAND.”
History:
On October 21, 1775, the Maryland Council of Safety contracted William Whetcroft to make 50 muskets per week for the Council. There are no records of a pistol being produced for the Council of Safety, but that does not mean he did not manufacture them for the Council.
This pistol may be the only known pistol made for the Council of Safety. It is difficult to guarantee though. The “WW” stamp is an identifier for Whetcroft. Also the brass mounted lock, and American wood stock are other factors leading the authors of Historic Pistols to believe this pistol is in fact a Maryland Council of Safety contract.
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. 208.
Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 18.
This .50 caliber breech-loading percussion smoothbore pistol was made by John Hall. It was converted from flintlock to percussion. It has a brass barrel and breech, a checkered grip, and a pin fastened full walnut stock.
There are no visible stamps.
History:
John H. Hall shares a joint patent with William Thornton for the breech loading flintlock rifle on May 21, 1811. Because of this patent, this pistol had to have been produced after the invention. Hall was employed by many different armories including Harpers Ferry from 1816 through 1840. There is a possibility that this pistol was made at Harpers Ferry around 1820.
While this particular pistol has a brass barrel, typically Hall barrels are bronze or iron. This type is extremely rare. There are only four known bronze barrels in existence today.
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.