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LOT 1230
U.S. A. Waters Model 1836 Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 54
cal., 8 1/2 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. This is a solid representative example of a
U.S. contract Model 1836 pistol that was manufactured by Asa H.
Waters of Milbury, Massachusetts, in 1837. The Model 1836 was the last and arguably
finest of the flintlock U.S. martial pistols. It has a rounded brass blade front sight, a
dished oval rear sight on the barrel tang, a swivel mounted ramrod, a detachable
brass flash pan, “U.S./LF/P” on the breech end of the barrel, an eagle’s head above
“A. WATERS/MILBURY. MS./1837” on the center of the lock. The left stock flat has a “C”
stamped ahead of the rear lock screw and “JCS” (John C. Stebbins) and “HKC” (Major Henry
Craig Knox) cartouches to the rear.
CONDITION: Very good with light original case colors, mostly mottled gray and brown patina,
replacement top jaw and screw, and general mild overall wear. The stock is fine and has a few cracks,
scattered scratches and dings, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 1229
Interesting “US” Marked Flintlock “Ship’s
Pistol” - NSN, 65 cal., 10 inch round bbl., bright
finish, walnut stock. This pistol was manufactured
around the tail end of the 18th century. The
smoothbore barrel has a sunken oval anchor mark
on the upper left at the breech, and the underside
of the barrel at the breech has a faint marking
starting with an “H”. The lock is marked “US” at
the tail and “Ketland/& Co” in script below the
priming pan. The furniture is brass. The stock may have had a marking on the left flat
below the sideplate, but it is now illegible. There are also to “X” marks to the left of the trigger guard
finial. This pistol appears to have been one of the 1797 contract “Ship’s Pistols.” Per Reilly on page 164
of “United States Martial Flintlocks”, 914 are recorded as delivered. They were produced by Thomas
Annely (90), Robert McCormick (100), John Miles (152), Joseph Morgan (84), John Nicholson, Jr. (142),
and Frederick Schnider (26). Reilly notes, “Their survival rate is exceedingly small, due in part to the fact
that the Ship’s pistols were, indeed placed on board immediately after receipt. The attrition rate for small arms and all other shipboard equipage during
the age of sale was extremely high, since the loss of the vessel invariably meant the loss of virtually everything on board.” He also notes, “Only John McCormick is known
to have marked these early pistols although John Miles may also have done so.” The furniture is brass and is clearly based largely on the British martial pistols of the era, particularly the Sea Service pistols. Similar forend bands,
single ramrod ferrules, trigger guards, and pommel caps are found on Robert McCormick’s horseman pistols. These 1797 pistols generally featured Ketland & Co. locks, and Ketland locks are also found on many early U.S. rifles. The
English Ketland family’s businesses exported tens of thousands of locks in various grades per research by Joseph V. Puleo. In addition to Reilly’s book, see “The McCormick Pistol Mystery- An Update” by Ed Bitter in the American
Society of Arms Collector Bulletin 41:13-22, “Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845” by Smith and Bitter for illustrations and information on the historic 1797 contract pistols.
CONDITION: Good overall as refinished/restored with mostly bright polished lock and barrel with mild pitting, aged patina on the brass mounts, repairs to the stock
including some filler, and generally moderate wear. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
According to "United States Marital
Flintlock" by Reilly, 914 "Ship's Pistols"
are recorded as delivered for U.S. Contract.
THIS PISTOL APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN ONE
OF THE 1797 CONTRACT “SHIP’S PISTOLS”
DISCUSSED IN THE BOOK UNITED STATES
MARTIAL FLINTLOCKS BY REILLY
219