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LOT 181
U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1805 Flintlock Pistol - Serial no. 558, 58 cal., 10 1/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The Model 1805 pistols were manufactured at Harpers Ferry c. 1806- 1808 and were the first U.S. military pistols produced at one of the national armories, the only flintlock pistol model manufactured at Harpers Ferry, and one of two flintlock pistols models manufactured at the national armories with the other being the Model 1817s manufactured at Springfield Armory. 4,096 Model 1805 pistols were completed in matching numbered pairs. This example is from the 558th pair and was manufactured in 1807. It is one of an estimated 2,580 manufactured that year. It has a smoothbore barrel with the “P” and “US” proofs and “558” on the left at the breech. The lock has the federal eagle and “US” at the center and “HARPERS/ FERRY/1807” at the tail. The furniture is brass. The half-length walnut stock has a faint cartouche on the left flat. CONDITION: Good with dark brown patina on the lock and barrel, mild pitting, deep aged patina on the brass furniture, and general mild wear. The barrel has been bored out to smoothbore. The refinished stock is also good and has general mild wear, including some small chips and cracks, and a faint cartouche. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 182
Very Scarce J. Henry Militia Flintlock Pistol Featured in “Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock, 1760-1845” by Smith & Bitter - NSN, 54 cal., 10 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. John Joseph Henry (1786-1836), often listed as just Joseph Henry, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, manufactured a limited number of flintlock pistols under state and federal government contracts in the early 19th century. This pistol is featured on featured on pages 186-187 of “Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock, 1760- 1845” by Smith & Bitter where the “MM” marking below the “P” proof on the barrel is attributed as for “Maryland” or “Maryland Militia” and the pistol is noted as “made between 1811 and 1816” based on the single ramrod thimble. The smoothbore barrel is not sighted. The lock is marked “J-HENRY” on the exterior and “PS” on the interior. The furniture is brass. CONDITION: Very good with gray patina and light pitting on the lock and barrel, aged patina on the brass furniture, and general mild wear. The refinished stock is also good with a few cracks, small chips, and mild wear. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The R.H. Bitter Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 183
Exceptional Robert Johnson U.S. Contract Model 1836 Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 54 cal., 8 1/2 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This exceptional Model 1836 flintlock pistol was manufactured by Robert Johnson of Middletown, Connecticut, in 1842 and has the standard markings and features, although it appears to have seen little, if any, use at all. Many saw hard use during the Mexican-American War and Civil War in the holsters of the U.S. cavalry. The Model 1836 is considered the finest of all U.S. martial flintlock pistols, and many were converted to percussion making original examples like this particularly desirable, especially in this high state of condition. “US/JH/P” (partially stamped “S”) marked on the breech of the bright barrel, “US/R.JOHNSON/MIDDn CONN/1840” marked on the casehardened lock, and two oval script inspection cartouches “JH” and “M.P.L.” (Mann Paige Lomax) crisply stamped on the left stock flat. Matching “IC” mating mark stamps visible on numerous screws and small components on the outside and inside of the lock including the original hammer and flash pan. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, the barrel and fittings exhibit attractive armory bright surfaces, with strong patterns of case colors on the casehardened surfaces with some areas of fading, some scattered light surface freckling, a few patches of light pitting, the brass flash pan and front sight exhibit an attractive lightly aged golden patina, with sharp untouched markings and edges in the metal overall. The stock is excellent, with absolutely distinct edges, a few light handling marks, and exceptionally crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. This exceptional Model 1836 pistol would make a fine addition to any U.S. martial collection! Provenance: The Andrew Singer Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 184 Joseph Henry Contract Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 54 cal., 10 1/2 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. These “J HENRY” pistols are generally regarded as made by Joseph Henry of Philadelphia in the early 19th century under contracts to arm American militias and as such are considered secondary U.S. martial pistols. The smoothbore barrel has an oval “P” proof towards the breech. The lock is stamped “J HENRY” at the center. The furniture is brass.
CONDITION: Good as reconverted to flintlock with dark brown patina, extensive mild pitting, attractive aged patina on the brass, and general moderate wear. The refinished stock is also good and has cracks and repairs concentrated in the forend, an “X” carved on the right side of the wrist, and moderate scrapes and dings. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 185
Fine U.S. Henry Aston & Co. Model 1842 Percussion Pistol Dated 1851 - NSN, 54 cal., 8 1/2 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This is a very fine example of one of approximately 6,000 Model 1842 pistols manufactured by Henry Aston & Co. of Middletown, Connecticut, c. 1851-1852, and approximately 24,000 were manufactured c. 1846-1850 by Henry Aston without the “& Co.” marking. This example is dated “1851” on the barrel tang and the tail of the lock, marked with “US/ WN/P” the breech, “US/H. ASTON &CO.” at the center of the lock with “MIDDtn/CONN” above the date on the tail, with oval script “JH” and “W.A.T” (William A. Thornton) inspection cartouches stamped on the left stock flat, and small “H” and JH” inspection marks on various components. CONDITION: Fine, with mostly bright iron surfaces showing some freckling and minor flash pitting, with some dings on the barrel, and attractive untouched golden aged patina on the brass surfaces. Stock is very fine with defined edges, scattered dents and scratches, a few scuffs, and extremely sharp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. This fine example of an important primary issue U.S. martial handgun would fill the gap nicely in any antique American arms collection.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500 197
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK HISTORIC PISTOLS: THE AMERICAN FLINTLOCK 1760-1845 BY SMITH & BITTER