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LOT 259
Springfield Model 1855 Percussion Pistol-
Carbine with Stock - NSN, 58
percussion cal., 12 inch bbl., bright finish, walnut stock, walnut grips. This pistol-carbine was manufactured in 1855 by Springfield Armory. They
manufactured 4,021 of these pistol-carbines c. 1855-1857. This pistol-carbine features an attachable buttstock, rifled .58 caliber barrel with two-leaf folding rear sight graduated to 400 yards, steel, swivel-type ramrod with concave tip for Minie bullet, Maynard tape primer, clean-out screw on the bolster, sling ring
on the buttcap and sling swivels on the upper barrel band and buttstock. The barrel, lock, ramrod and swivels are “National Armory Bright”. The oil-finished, American walnut, attachable stock and pistol stock have a brass, forend tip, barrel band, trigger guard, buttcap, brass stock yoke and buttplate. The pistol has a steel back strap slotted to accept the attachable buttstock. The lock plate is dated “1856” behind the hammer and roll-stamped “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” in two lines in front of the primer door. The primer door is roll-stamped with the Springfield Armory eagle and shield motif. The barrel tang is dated “1855” ahead of the rear sight and the left side of the barrel is stamped with “V/P/eagle head” proof and inspection marks. The assembly or batch number “16” is stamped on the buttcap, and the assembly number “12” is stamped on the underside
of the stock yoke (Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine stocks and pistols are stamped with assembly numbers from 1-20; the numbers rarely match). The heel of the
buttplate is marked “US”. A unique design, the Model 1855 pistol-carbine was intended as a replacement for the Model 1847 musketoon and Hall
carbine and was issued in conjunction with a revolver. Model 1855 pistol-carbines saw hard service on the frontier and many remained in
service during the first year of the Civil War. The Model 1855 pistol-carbine, the Model 1817 flintlock pistol and the Model 1911 semi-
automatic pistol were the only handguns manufactured by the Springfield Armory.
CONDITION: Very good plus. The barrel, lock, hammer and back strap have a smooth bright finish with traces of aged patina. The
percussion nipple bolster, hammer and adjacent portions of the barrel show only very minor flash pitting. The date and Springfield
markings on the lock plate are clear. The eagle and shield motif on the primer magazine door has been polished and is faint. The
inspection marks and date on the barrel and tang are clear. The ordnance final inspection mark usually found on the left barrel flat is not
visible. The brass furniture is also very good. The brass has been polished at some point but has begun to develop a good looking patina.
The pistol stock is very good overall. The edges of the lock mortise, barrel channel and left flat are sharp. Wear on the pistol stock and
attachable buttstock is mostly limited to some minor handling marks. There is a hairline crack in the right side of the stock that runs from
the end of the lockplate to the steel back strap. The Maynard tape primer is complete and functional. This is an attractive example of an
important and distinctive U.S. martial arm.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 260
Scarce and Historic
U.S. Simeon North Model 1813 Flintlock
Army Pistol - NSN, 69 cal., 9 1/16 inch round bbl., bright
finish, walnut stock. This Model 1813 flintlock pistol was manufactured by Simeon North in Middletown, Connecticut. North manufactured
1,626 Model 1813 pistols between 1813 and 1815. The Army received 626 pistols without the belt hooks. The contract for the Model 1813 flintlock pistols were the first in which the gun maker agreed to provide weapons with interchangeable parts. The pistol has a round, smoothbore barrel with
octagonal breech, double strap, and “Wickham Improvement” barrel band. The lock has a beveled front and rounded rear with reinforced cock, the detachable brass flash pan has no fence, and the frizzen has a flat toe. The frizzen spring has a bulbous tip. The pistol
side plate, trigger guard, back strap and buttcap are iron. The hickory ramrod has a swelled tip with slotted and threaded iron ferrule. The stock is
black walnut. The lock plate is marked: “S. NORTH” in a downward curve over an Eagle motif flanked by “U” and “S”. “MIDLN. CON” is stamped in an upward curve below the eagle. The initials “H.H.P.” of inspector Henry H. Perkin (HHP) are stamped on the right breech flat above the flash hole. The
Of the completed 1,626 U.S. Simeon North Model 1813 pistols, only 626 were delivered to the Army.
left breech flat is stamped with a “P/US” proofmark. An Ordnance inspection mark that consists of a “V” stamped above the script initials
“LS” of inspector Luther Sage with an oval border is stamped on the left stock flat.
CONDITION: Very good. The pistol barrel has a mottled, silver gray patina on the barrel and barrel band. The lock, side plate, trigger
guard, back strap and buttcap have a brown patina. The barrel band, side plate, trigger guard, back strap and buttcap have moderate
pitting. The barrel has been lightly cleaned and has scattered spots of age discoloration with light to moderate pitting. The lock has a smooth dark patina. The left barrel flat and lock markings are light but legible. The markings on the right side of the barrel are sharp. The stock is fine with minor pressure marks and dings. The inspection marks on the left stock flat are clear. This is a solid example of a rare and historic U.S. primary martial pistol produced in very limited numbers during the War of 1812.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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