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LOT 266
Exceptional U.S. Springfield Model 1855 Percussion Pistol-Carbine Dated 1855 with Matching Stock - NSN, 58 cal., 12 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The Springfield Armory only manufactured 4,021 of these distinctive weapons between 1855-1857. The Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine was intended to provide the U.S. Cavalry and Dragoon regiments with a weapon that could be utilized as a carbine for dismounted action when fitted with the stock and a pistol for use on horseback with the stock removed. The carbine was designed to fire the newly introduced .58 caliber expanding base bullet (Minie ball) and was fitted with the Maynard tape primer adopted for the 1855 series weapons. The round barrel has an iron front sight blade, a two-leaf folding rear sight graduated to 400 yards on the tang, a bolster with cleanout screw, and a swivel ramrod with concave button tip. The left barrel flat is stamped with “V/P/eaglehead” proof marks, and the tang is dated “1855” ahead of the rear sight. The lock plate has a magazine for Maynard tape primers. The lock plate is dated “1855” behind the hammer and marked “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” in front of the primer door. The primer door is marked with the eagle and shield motif. The buttcap has a sling ring, and the stock and barrel band are fitted with sling swivels. The pistol stock and detachable stock are oil finished black walnut. The assembly number “3” is stamped on the buttcap and stock hardware. “U.S.” is stamped on the top of the buttplate tang. “JT” and “ESA” cartouches are on the left pistol stock flat, and the right side of the wrist and comb of the buttstock are stamped with “10”. The Model 1855 Pistol-Carbines were issued to the U.S. Cavalry and Dragoon regiments on the pre-Civil War frontier but were soon replaced with Colts. Nonetheless, these pistol-carbines were issued during the early part of the Civil War by volunteer cavalry units, and few remain in high condition along with their original matching stock like this one. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine overall with mostly bright lock and barrel with some faint pitting, attractive aged patina on the brass furniture, raised grain on both stocks along with smooth finish, and generally only very minor age and storage related wear. Mechanically excellent. This is certainly one of the finest Model 1855 Pistol-Carbines that still retains its original shoulder stock, and it is a very solid representative example of one of just three pistol models manufactured by the Springfield Armory. Provenance: The Eric Vaule Collection; The David Aroh Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 267
Rare Exceptional Pair of U.S. Contract H. Aston & Co. Model 1842
Percussion Pistols Attributed as Gifts to Japan from the Perry Expedition
-A) H. Aston & Co. Model 1842 Pistol - NSN, 54 cal., 8 1/2 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut
stock. The Model 1842 was the first standard U.S. martial pistol produced originally as a percussion weapon. These pistols were originally issued in pairs, and are very rarely seen still paired with their original counterpart today. They were not serialized, so confirming a matching pair can be difficult today.
This excellent and rare pair was manufactured by Henry Aston & Co. and both feature two identical distinct oval script “WN” (Walter North) and “WAT” (William A. Thornton) inspection
cartouches stamped on their left
flats, matching “1851” dates
on their locks and barrel tangs, and matching “US/WN/P” on
top of the breech with “N” inspection initials on the left of the breech. Both pistols also have similar unique Japanese characters stamped on top of the barrel tangs, which support the
inference that these are an original matching pair. The stamps are believed to have a connection to the Perry Expedition. This military expedition was in two separate voyages between 1852–1853 and 1854–1855, in which warships of the U.S. Navy were sent to Japan to the Tokugawa shogunate with goals of establishment of diplomatic
relations, exploration, surveying and, most importantly, negotiation of trade agreements. Between visits with numerous American gifts demonstrating advances in technology and a threat of force, the Kanagawa Treaty was ultimately signed between the United States and the Tokugawa shogunate on March 31, 1854, effectively ending Japan’s isolationism and
opening ports for trade with American vessels. Chapter seven of “Black Ships & Samurai” by John W. Dower references the Perry Expedition, and page 7 has a list of a variety of American presents brought ashore in Japan on March 31, 1854,
which includes “20 Army pistols in a box.” This attractive 1851 dated pair of Japanese marked Model 1842 pistols would have been the standard pistol in use by the U.S. Army at the time of the Perry Expedition, and were likely set aside for presentation purposes, lending to their high state of condition.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, showing attractive original armory bright iron surfaces with some patches of light surface freckling, untouched bright golden patina on the brass, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. A period added hole is visible in the rear of the pommel section, likely for hanging display purposes. Stock is also excellent with rich original oil finish and raised grains, a few light handling marks, distinct edges overall and exceptionally sharp cartouches. Mechanically excellent.
B) H. Aston & Co. Model 1842 Pistol - NSN, 54 cal., 8 1/2 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. As described in “A”.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, showing attractive original armory bright iron surfaces with some patches of light surface freckling, untouched bright golden patina on the brass, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. A period added hole is visible in the rear of the pommel section, likely for hanging display purposes. Stock is also excellent with rich original oil finish and raised grains, a few light handling marks, distinct edges overall and exceptionally sharp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. This excellent historical pair of U.S. Model 1842 pistols, with ties to the Perry Expedition, would be extremely difficult to improve upon and would make a fine addition to any early Americana or martial firearms collection!
Estimate: 5,500 - 9,000
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